Foreign Minister Retno Phones Fellow Foreign Ministers of Middle East Countries to Discuss Latest Development

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 7 Juni 2017
Category: News
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Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi spoke by phone with Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and Iran before heading to Jakarta via Doha, on Wednesday (7/6), to discuss the development in the Middle East after several countries cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. “I discussed the issue with several Foreign Ministers of the Middle East concerning the development in the region and conveyed the views and readiness of Indonesia to contribute,” Minister Retno said, who is currently in Doha, Qatar.

After obtaining the views of the Foreign Ministers of the Middle East on the regional situation, Foreign Minister Retno conveyed Indonesia’s concerns about the development of the situation in the region.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized the importance that countries in the Middle East refrain and take measures to ease tensions. The Minister expects that several countries directly involved in this situation prioritize dialogue and reconciliation to resolve the problems. “Indonesia is ready to contribute,” Retno said.

For the record, Foreign Minister Retno was in Doha, Qatar, for transit on her way back from a working visit to Nigeria. While in Doha, Foreign Minister Retno met with Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar to obtain a report on the current situation and the circumstances of Indonesian citizens in Qatar.

As we may be aware, the situation in the Middle East became heated up after Saudi Arabia suddenly cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. Saudi Arabia’s move was followed by a number of countries, namely Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Bahrain, and the Maldives.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Muhamad Basri Sidehabi said that the situation is still normal. The availability of food and goods in supermarkets and shops is still normal.

The Ambassador has also communicated with groups of Indonesian Citizens in Doha to ensure the circumstances of Indonesian citizens and convey the readiness of the Embassy to provide protection. In order to improve protection, a special Task Force has been established. “I suggest Indonesian Citizens in Qatar to immediately communicate with the Embassy if they need help,” Foreign Minister Retno said.

The number of Indonesian Citizens in Qatar who have reported themselves to the Indonesian Embassy as of June 2017 is about 29 thousand. The Indonesian Embassy’s Hotline: +974 3332 2875. (Directorate of Information and Media of Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).

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