Indonesia Rejects Military Blocs
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said that the Global South was not a ‘new bloc’ but was still advocating for a ‘fair voice’ and ‘fair share’ in global affairs and prosperity, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) plenary session in Vladivostok on Thursday.
“Indonesia does not want to join any military alliance, but we seek to join an economic alliance. Our FTA (free trade agreement) within the Eurasian Economic Union is exactly that – not an alliance against anyone, but a partnership for the prosperity of everyone. Indonesia works to the east, west, north and south as a sovereign and equal partner,” Subianto said.
“For us, 1,000 friends are too few. One enemy is too many. We came to St Petersburg to make friends, and now we come to Vladivostok to turn the friendship into pragmatic results. The Global South is not a new bloc. It is a constituency for fairness, for a fair share of prosperity, and a fair voice in writing global rules,” he continued.
Indonesia Seeks More Trade
The president also noted the increase in trade between Russia and Indonesia, adding that it was ‘just the beginning’.
“It is not a ceiling. Here, in this forum, I propose that Indonesia and Russia set a clear challenge to ourselves to double our trade within the first review period of the Indonesian-Eurasian Economic Union,” he said.
“Everything we have discussed today, the tariff lines covered by the FTA, transport corridors, payment systems, industrial projects exist for one reason, so that a fisherman in Indonesia and a shipbuilder in Russia can each look at their children and believe that tomorrow will be better than today,” Subianto continued. “Our young people will not ask which bloc we belong to. They will ask what we built for their future. Let us build the direct shipping route. Let us open the direct flight.”
Calls For Alternative Payments
He also called for the development of alternative mechanisms for international payments to enhance global trade ‘resilience’.
“This is not about replacing one system with another, but about ensuring that another global financial system can operate alongside existing arrangements to preserve continuity, stability, and confidence in international trade,” the leader explained.
Eastern Economic Forum
The Eastern Economic Forum takes place from September 1-4, in Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East. The landmark economic event brings together officials, business leaders and experts from Russia and abroad.
This year’s theme is ‘The Far East: Development for the Benefit of People’, with more than 70 sessions covering investment, international co-operation, technology, logistics and infrastructure. More than 5,000 people from over 70 countries are set to attend.
Article by Viory
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