Territorial Claim Shall Comply with International Law: Foreign Affairs Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi delivers the 2019 Foreign Minister’s Annual Press Statement, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Wednesday (8/1). Photo by: PR of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi has said that regarding sovereignty within Indonesian water, any territorial claim by any party should be based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

“Indonesia will consistently reject any claim that is not recognized under international law,” Retno said during the 2019 Foreign Minister’s Annual Press Statement, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Wednesday (8/1).

Retno added that the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity is non-negotiable. “Indonesia’s sovereignty and territory are non-negotiable by anyone, at any given time,” she said.

Indonesia, the Minister firmly stated, will continue to stand up to foreign countries that deliberately provide support for separatist movements in Indonesia, as it is a clear violation to international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

In the meantime, Retno said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has several priorities with regards to the sovereignty and national identity diplomacy. The priorities include maritime borders with:

• Malaysia, by formalizing border of territorial water in Sulawesi Sea segment and subsequently negotiating Malacca Strait segment;
• Vietnam, on EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) border;
• The Philippines, on continental shelf boundaries;
• Palau, on EEZ border; and
• Timor Leste after demarcation of land border is completed.

For land borders, the priorities include demarcation with Malaysia on Sebatik Island and Sinapad River, and finalizing demarcation with Timor Leste in accordance with agreed principles.

The Minister further said that Indonesia will conduct its diplomacy based on 4+1 priority, namely: Strengthening Economic Diplomacy; Protection Diplomacy; Sovereignty and National Identity Diplomacy; and Indonesia’s Leadership in the Regional and Global Stages, while the plus one is strengthening Indonesia’s Diplomatic Infrastructure.

(EN/Public Relations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani