The Third Japan-Indonesia Ministerial-Level Strategic Dialogue (Overview)

On Friday, October 14, during his visit to Indonesia, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Koichiro Gemba held the Third Japan-Indonesia Ministerial-Level Strategic Dialogue with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Marty Natalegawa, following previous evening’s dinner. The meeting was held from around 9:30 AM to around 10:55 AM. Other members attending the meeting were Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wardana, Acting Director General for Asia-Pacific and African Affairs Ronny P. Yuliantoro, Director for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Dewi Savitri Wahab, Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Ngurah Swajaya, Director for ASEAN Political and Security Cooperation Ade Padmo Sarwono, and others from the Indonesian side and Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yoshinori Katori, Director-General of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department Kunio Umeda, and others from the Japanese side. The following is an overview of the meeting.

1. At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Marty said that he was able to confirm a comprehensive cooperative relationship between the two countries and discuss details of the bilateral relations during the working dinner the previous evening. In response, Minister Gemba expressed his wish to exchange views on various issues of the regional and international community in the strategic dialogue and advance cooperation with Indonesia.
   
   
2. With regard to the ASEAN affairs, Minister Marty emphasized the importance of Indonesia, as ASEAN chair, to achieve significant progress towards the building of the ASEAN Community in 2015 at the ASEAN Summit held this November. To this end, he expressed gratitude for Japan’s initiative in supporting ASEAN connectivity and providing anti-disaster cooperation. He also mentioned ASEAN’s role as mediator in peacefully settling the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Regarding the situation in Myanmar, both Foreign Ministers acknowledged that positive progress has been shown compared to a year ago, and that steady developments are being made towards democratization, national reconciliation, and dialogue with the international community.
   
   
3. In regard to Asia-Pacific affairs, Minister Gemba said that Japan attaches great importance to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, for which it is necessary to minimize regional risks and maximize growth opportunities. Both Foreign Ministers also confirmed close coordination towards the East Asia Summit (EAS) to be held this November. Furthermore, with regard to North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues, including uranium enrichment facilities, Minister Gemba stated that it is important that North Korea take concrete actions, and asked for Indonesia’s cooperation in resolving North Korea’s abduction of Japanese citizens.
   
   
4. Both Ministers exchanged their views on other global issues such as the reform of the United Nations Security Council, climate change, and peace in the Middle East. As to peace in the Middle East, both Foreign Ministers confirmed that they would continue cooperation in supporting Palestine.