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Construing ‘4+1 priorities’ of Indonesia's diplomacy
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Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi speaks to reporters on the margins of the 12th Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has reappointed Retno LP Marsudi as foreign minister for the next five years. To translate Jokowi’s vision and mission into diplomacy and foreign policy, Minister Retno has set a policy line she calls “4 + 1 Priority”.
The priorities are focused on economic diplomacy, citizen protection, sovereignty and nationality, leadership in the region and the world, plus diplomatic infrastructure (human resources, bureaucratic reform and diplomacy digitalization).
The 2014-2019 priorities emphasized maintaining sovereignty, protection of citizens and economic diplomacy. For the 2019-2024 period, however, economic diplomacy comes first.
The question is how to construe the changes in priorities from the perspective of diplomacy and foreign policy.
Changes in priorities for Indonesia’s diplomacy should not be regarded as merely a shift in order. More than that, they actually contain strategic meaning in the implementation of diplomacy and foreign policy.
There are at least three reasons behind the decision to put economic diplomacy on top. First is the character of national leadership, typified by blusukan (impromptu visit).
Since Jokowi came to power in 2014, the Foreign Ministry’s big theme in its foreign policy has been “down-to-earth diplomacy”, namely diplomacy that provides direct and concrete benefits for the people.
