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Jokowi to attend G7 summit at Germany’s invitation
Russian state news agency TASS has reported that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as well.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will attend the Group of Seven (G7) political forum in Germany later this month, officials have confirmed, as talks are underway for Indonesia to pursue a more proactive role in putting an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made the first mention of Jokowi’s G7 attendance at a press event in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday, after kicking off his state visit to Indonesia in commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“I am glad that the Indonesian President will personally attend the G7 meeting in Elmau [castle] that is slated to be held later this month,” Steinmeier said.
The group’s 48th summit is to be held from June 26 to 27 in the Bavarian Alps.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed the planned visit on Friday, saying the President would accept Germany’s G7 invitation.
The two leaders met at Bogor Palace for political talks and a state banquet. They reportedly discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Indo-Pacific cooperation and Indonesia’s Group of 20 (G20) priorities as this year’s host of the forum. The G7 is a subset of G20 member states, consisting of the group’s most economically developed liberal democracies.
Speaking at the joint press conference, Jokowi said he and Steinmeier had discussed the war in Ukraine and reiterated Indonesia’s position that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the observance of international law and principles had to be upheld. The President continued to avoid any direct mention of Russia.
“I appeal for us to strengthen cooperation on the handling of the impacts of the war in Ukraine, especially in the food and energy sectors. On cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, I reiterate the importance of inclusive regional architecture that champions the spirit of collaboration, multilateralism and peace – not containment,” Jokowi said.
He also emphasized the roles that both nations played in global policy-making and that Steinmeier’s visit soon after his reelection as president in February was a reflection of the two countries’ close bilateral ties.
Both Indonesia’s G20 presidency and Germany’s leadership of the G7 shared common goals with regard to energy transition, the Indonesian leader said, adding that he invited Germany and other G7 member states to collaborate on the knowledge, technology and financing needed to enable the shift to greener energy.
Meanwhile, Steinmeier expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s position, as he characterized it, on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“[Indonesia’s] position explicitly shows that, even across continents, we stand together against any violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, wherever it may occur,” he said.
While Indonesia has been noncommittal in global efforts to punish Russia with sanctions, Cabinet insiders have spoken privately about plans for Jokowi to visit Russia and Ukraine to try to help bring about an end to the war, although no official announcements have been made.
On Tuesday, Russian state news agency TASS quoted a Kremlin source saying that Jokowi would visit Moscow and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah declined to confirm whether the President would go to Ukraine or Russia after his visit to Germany, saying only that “it will be announced in time which countries he will visit”.
The leaders of France, Germany and Italy – all members of the G7 – are currently in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky, AFP has reported. The United Nations says the humanitarian situation there is “extremely alarming” and continues to deteriorate, four months into the Russian invasion.
