President Prabowo: Pacific Ocean Must Serve as Economic Highway between Indonesia, Russia
President Prabowo Subianto, attended the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) in Vladivostok, Russian Federation, on Thursday (09/03) as the principal guest of honor, following an invitation from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The economic forum which was held from September 1-4, 2026, raised the theme “The Far East: Development for the Benefit of the People” and served as a meeting platform for government officials, business leaders, and experts from Russia and various countries.
President Putin delivered the opening address before President Prabowo gave his remarks as the principal guest of honor. The forum then continued with remarks from three other guests, namely Prime Minister of Mongolia Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, Vice President of Myanmar Nyo Saw, and Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China Ding Xuexian.
In his address, President Putin expressed appreciation for the presence of leaders and delegations from various countries at the 11th EEF. He emphasized the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as one of the centers of global economic growth.
“The Asia-Pacific region is a strong growth center and determines the pace of development for the entire global economy,” said President Putin.
According to President Putin, Russia is one of the countries actively engaged in investment and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. He affirmed that Russia builds cooperation with its partners on an equal basis, including through various integration associations in the region.
“Our strategic direction is to make the Far East a region of cooperation and dynamic transformation in the economic and infrastructure sectors, in technology development and workforce training, and of course, in the social sector,” said President Putin.
Meanwhile, President Prabowo began his remarks by expressing gratitude to President Putin, the Government of the Russian Federation, and the Roscongress Foundation for the invitation to attend and speak at the forum. The President said that his visit to Russia this time was his second visit within the same year and expressed hope that the relations will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, while also opening opportunities for President Putin and forum participants to visit Indonesia.
“I hope to reciprocate the hospitality that Russia has extended to me and to welcome President Putin and many of you to Indonesia,” said President Prabowo.
In his remarks, President Prabowo underlined Indonesia’s efforts to build stronger bridges with the Russian Far East and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). According to him, Indonesia’s geographical position between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean provides a strategic opportunity to strengthen economic relations with the Eurasian region, including Russia.
“Indonesia, located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, seeks to build stronger bridges to the Russian Far East and to the Eurasian Economic Union,” he said.
President Prabowo also noted that Indonesia and Russia share similarities in terms of their vast territorial expanse. He also highlighted the challenges faced by countries with large territories, where the center of government can feel distant from communities residing in border regions.
However, for President Prabowo, the geographical distance between Vladivostok and Indonesia should not turn into an obstacle. He also affirmed that the Pacific Ocean should not be viewed as a divider between Russia and Indonesia.
“The Pacific Ocean does not separate us. The Pacific Ocean connects us. It is not a wall between us. It must serve as a highway between our two economies,” said President Prabowo.
This message became one of President Prabowo’s key topics at the 11th EEF, emphasizing that Indonesia views the Pacific region not as a geographical boundary, but as a strategic space for building connectivity and opening new economic opportunities.
Through increasingly close partnerships with Russia and the Eurasian region, Indonesia aims to leverage its geographical proximity in the Pacific as a strength to expand trade, investment, and cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to the people of both countries. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat) (EST/TM)
