Diplomatic Work A Prerequisite

TURKISH PRESIDENCY VIA AP, POOL

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabiain, in a video conference from his Vahdettin Pavilion, in Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. Erdogan said Sunday that Turkey sees itself as a part of Europe, but he called on the European Union to “keep your promises” on issues such as the country’s membership bid and refugees.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia's diplomacy as the president of the Group of 20 (G20) in bridging the polarization within the group will determine the quality of this year's G20. In fact, diplomatic work on the conflict of interest between Russia and the United States and its allies is a prerequisite for the success of the Indonesia’s Presidency for G20 in 2022.

"Indonesia's response needs to be appropriate. At the very least, the Indonesian government must bridge these differences. For this reason, diplomacy outside the G20 agenda is needed, both bilaterally and in other forums. This is also to isolate the problem so that it does not interfere with the main agenda of the G20," said executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Yose Rizal Damuri, in Jakarta, on Sunday (27/3/2022).

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G20 and the Ukraine Crisis

The conflict of interest between Russia and the US and its allies during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has spread to the G20. Polarization is inevitable.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a similar statement.

There is already pressure from the US and its allies to isolate Russia from the G20. US President Joe Biden in Brussels last week stated that Russia should not be involved in the G20. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a similar statement.

Rizal, who is also the executive co-chair of Think 20 (T20) stated that representatives of the G7 countries and several other countries expressed similar aspirations in the G20 working groups. Although so far it has not disrupted the working group's agenda, it must be responded to appropriately.

On the other hand, China and Brazil have expressed support for Indonesia, which invited all members of the G20, including Russia. Several other countries, including South Africa, Argentina and Saudi Arabia, have so far not expressed their aspirations.

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French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at the G20 summit in Rome, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. The two-day Group of 20 summit concluded on Sunday, the first in-person gathering of leaders of the world's biggest economies since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

G20 Indonesia co-sherpa, Dian Triansyah Djani, on Thursday (24/3), stated that Indonesia as the president of the G20, in accordance with previous presidents, invited all members of the G20. It is Indonesia's principle that whenever the country is trusted to lead a forum or organization, it must follow the existing rules and procedures.

“Similarly with the G20. It is an obligation for all G20 presidents to invite all members," he said.

Self-confident

Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, Hikmahanto Juwana, is of the opinion that Indonesia as the president of this year's G20 should be able to leave aside views that blame one party. Indonesia should focus on recovering the world without excluding certain parties.

"Indonesia must appear confident and firm with other countries, so we can drive the G20 vehicle effectively. It can’t get caught up in 'if Russia is invited, the US and its allies won't come' because this undermines the value of the G20 forum," he said.

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Hikmahanto emphasized the importance of Indonesia being proactive. "Indeed, there is no guarantee of success in the future, but this is important in history to make a record of Indonesia's various efforts at the G20 forum or through other diplomatic channels. This record will be useful for Indonesia,” said Hikmahanto.

Spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Teuku Faizasyah, stated that the Indonesian government was currently carrying out diplomatic work in various ways. This included diplomacy in regular meetings in various forums.

"At the same time, Indonesia remains active in urging for the cessation of war in various global forums. Although we focus on the G20, we also continue to be proactive in trying to cool down the situation in Eastern Europe," he said.

Indonesian diplomats continue to carry out at their diplomatic work at the United Nations, both in New York, in the US, and in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to Faizasyah, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi had a dialogue with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday (26/3). Indonesian diplomats continue to carry out at their diplomatic work at the United Nations, both in New York, in the US, and in Geneva, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, the deputy for Coordination of International Economic Cooperation at the Office of Coordinating Economic Ministry, Edi Prio Pambudi, who is also the co-sherpa of the 2022 G20 Indonesian presidency, stated that the first round of discussions in Sherpa Track at the working group level went well. The discussion remained focused on the agendas that had been set.

"All delegates were present in a hybrid form. Some conveyed [aspirations about the Ukraine crisis] as an issue of concern. However, the event remained focused on discussing the main agenda," said Edi.

This year's G20 brings a theme "Recover Together, Recover Stronger". Discussions of the agenda are divided into two tracks, namely the Finance Track and the Sherpa Track.

KOMPAS/LUCKY PRANSISKA

President Joko Widodo and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani explained about the G20 Summit.

In the national committee, the finance track is led by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Governor of Bank Indonesia Perry Warjiyo. The Sherpa Track is led by Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo)