Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo welcomed credentials from ten newly appointed ambassadors from friendly nations at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi highlighted Indonesia's strong ties with 10 countries and affirmed Indonesia's commitment to boosting bilateral cooperation with trade partners.

"Among these ten countries, seven have bilateral trade with Indonesia exceeding $100 million, with exceptions being Cuba, Lithuania, and North Macedonia," Retno noted.

She highlighted that the United States remains a key trading partner, with a trade value exceeding $34.5 billion in 2023. Additionally, Indonesia's trade with Russia surpassed $3.3 billion.

Retno discussed several important agendas, including ongoing negotiations with the US on the Critical Minerals Arrangement and the extension of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). Meanwhile, Indonesia is finalizing the Indonesia-Tunisia Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which is expected to boost Indonesia's exports by 32.82 percent.

"With Russia, we are pushing for the completion of the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA), which will further enhance trade between Indonesia, Russia, and other EAEU member states," Retno stated.

"In addition, we are actively pursuing the completion of the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with EU members, including Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Slovenia," she added.

Retno also announced that Indonesia will host several business forums and trade exhibitions to strengthen economic ties with these countries, including the Indonesia-Latin America and the Caribbean Business Forum in Peru and the Indonesia-Europe Business Forum in Jakarta.

Indonesia also plans to deepen bilateral relations with Papua New Guinea (PNG), a neighboring country in the Pacific region. Indonesia views PNG as a significant player in the Pacific.

"This year is special as it marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Brunei, 75 years with the United States, and 75 years with Russia," Retno remarked.

Following the credential presentation, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will hold further meetings with each ambassador to discuss future cooperation priorities.

Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, was among those who presented credentials. "It was an honor to present my credentials to the President, and it is a privilege to return to Indonesia during the 75th anniversary of the US-Indonesia relationship and the first full year of our newly elevated Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Ambassador Lakhdhir said. "As we enter this era of greater cooperation, I look forward to further strengthening ties rooted in shared values and working together to advance stability and prosperity."

The ten ambassadors who presented their credentials to President Jokowi are:

• Brigadier General (Ret.) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Kadir, Designate Resident Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Indonesia.
• Ms. Dagmar Gonzales Grau, Designate Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Indonesia.
• Mr. Mohamed Trabelsi, Designate Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the Republic of Indonesia.
• Mr. Sergei G. Tolchenov, Designate Resident Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Indonesia.
• Ms. Tanya Dimitrova, Designate Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Indonesia.
• Mr. Simon Namiss, Designate Resident Ambassador of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea to the Republic of Indonesia.
• Ms. Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, Designate Resident Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Indonesia.
• Mr. Darius Gaidys, Designate Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania, based in Singapore.
• Ms. Biljana Stefanovska, Designate Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia, based in Canberra.
• Mr. Marko Ham, Designate Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/president-jokowi-welcomes-10-new-ambassador