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Envoys looking to influence foreign policy
A group of former Indonesian ambassadors has established an envoy forum that they claim would allow them to contribute to shaping Indonesian foreign policy
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group of former Indonesian ambassadors has established an envoy forum that they claim would allow them to contribute to shaping Indonesian foreign policy.
Abdul Irsan, former ambassador to Japan, said the forum was aimed at promoting their thoughts to the Foreign Ministry’s policy makers and helping the ministry educate the public about its policy.
“There are around 200 former ambassadors who are still actively involved in social and diplomatic activities and they are still part of Jakarta’s diplomacy scene,” Irsan said at a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday following the group’s meeting with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
“The forum is looking to accommodate the experience and insight of ambassadors so that the ministry can reach out to a wider society,” he said.
The forum was established on Feb. 25 in Jakarta and is cochaired by senior diplomat Hashim Djalal, former ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian and former ambassador to Thailand and India Gatot Suwardi.
The forum is an independent not-for-profit body, Sabam Siagian said.
He added that Marty welcomed and pledged full support for the forum to participate in shaping foreign policy.
“The minister said he looked forward to the contributions from the forum,” Sabam said.
Hashim Djalal said the group could contribute to the ministry’s diplomatic efforts in the areas of economy, border disputes and interfaith dialogue.
“Indonesia has increased its leverage in international forums and we are looking to use our experience and knowledge to enhance the ministry’s diplomatic capacity,” he said.
University of Indonesia international relations lecturer Hariyadi Wiryawan said the forum could help the ministry reach out to the public. However, he added that any real contribution to shaping foreign policy would be limited.
“Because the stance shared by the former diplomats are identical to those of the Foreign Ministry, I don’t think the forum will have any significant impact in forming foreign policy. Its role will be limited to helping the ministry reach out to the public to educate them on foreign policy,” he said.
