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| Virtual Prime Lecture of the UMM HI study program with the Ambassador of the LBBP of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain concurrently the Republic of Ireland and the International Maritime Organization 2016-2020 (Photo: Istimewa) |
The International Relations Study Program, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (IR UMM) held a Virtual Prime Lecture. In front of more than 400 new UMM HI Study Program students, Dr. Rizal Sukma, MSc, the Extraordinary Plenipotentiary Ambassador (LBBP) of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Kingdom who is concurrently the Republic of Ireland and the 2016-2020 International Maritime Organization were invited to give a public lecture.
In his presentation Rizal Sukma revealed the importance of English for Indonesia. According to him, the question of what is the importance of a placement country is the first question that must be answered by an ambassador or diplomat in general when stationed in a friendly country.
As an ambassador based in London, England, Ambassador Rizal Sukma revealed that there are at least four important meanings of Britain for Indonesia. First, Britain is one of the five member states of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The British position shows that the country has the capacity and capability of great power in the world. It is also important for efforts to achieve the national interests of Indonesia, which is currently a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.
"The second significance is that Britain is a country with the fifth largest economy in the world and the tenth largest trading country in the world. This is important to strengthen Indonesia's cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment with the UK, ”he said, Monday (2/11).
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The senior researcher and Executive Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 2009-2015 also said that along with Indonesia, Britain is a member of the G-20. The G-20 itself is a forum for twenty countries with the largest economic power in the world. This position places the two countries in close economic and trade cooperation.
In addition, Britain is the country with the largest media network in the world, such as the BBC, Reuters and others. “Not only the media, England also has world-ranking educational institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge and others. The UK is also become the base for various international governmental organizations and international non-governmental organizations, such as Amnesty International and others. All of this is important for the achievement of Indonesia's national interests, "said the ambassador who is also active in the Muhammadiyah Association.
As an ambassador who is also assigned as a permanent representative to the World Maritime Organization (IMO), Britain is important because IMO is located in that country. According to him, IMO is a special UN agency which is very important for Indonesia, especially related to maritime interests. For this reason, as the ambassador, he is also assigned to maximize Indonesia's maritime diplomacy in the international world to support the achievement of Indonesia's vision as a world maritime axis.
Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the UK have existed for more than 70 years. During that time, the two countries had quite close relations and cooperation in various fields, such as economy, trade, investment, education, technology, maritime, socio-cultural to defense.
There are at least six slices of Indonesian and British national interests. This slice of national interest has made relations between the two countries relatively stable without any significant tension. The first thing is that both countries are maritime nations. "Geographical conditions as an archipelagic country make the sea a priority of national interest for the two countries. The sea is an economic and trade asset. At the same time, security and safety at sea are a common concern for the two countries, "he explained.
The two countries also have common interests in trade and investment. The UK sees Indonesia as a priority for trade and investment. On the other hand, Indonesia views Britain as a developed country as a strategic trading partner. "Until 2016, Britain was the fifth largest source of investment for Indonesia in various fields," added the senior researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
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Furthermore, the two countries also have a cross section of interests in the fields of education and technology. Various world-class universities in England, such as Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economic and Political Science and others have various collaborations with universities in Indonesia. In addition, both countries are democracies. Both have the same commitment about the importance of the realization of democratic values.
The man who was once awarded as One of 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy Magazine also emphasized that Indonesia and the UK have the same interests regarding a stable Southeast Asia region. "A stable Southeast Asia makes it easier for the UK to conduct trade relations with all ASEAN member countries and East Asian countries. "Stability in the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca as the main flow of international trade traffic is important," he said.
Finally, the two countries which started diplomatic relations since 1949 also have an interest and commitment in overcoming global problems, such as the issue of climate change, transnational organized crime, and other global problems. This slice of the same national interest is the secret that makes the relationship between the two countries stronger, which is built through the values of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation. (nain/can)
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