Prabowo: No Joint Statement with US Ministry of Defense

Prabowo again emphasized that Indonesia has good relations with China, the United States and Russia. In line with the principle of active freedom, Indonesia is friendly to all countries.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Prabowo: Tidak Ada Pernyataan Bersama dengan Kementerian Pertahanan AS

EDNA CAROLINE PATTISINA

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and US Defence Minister Lloyd J. Austin III met on Thursday (25/8) in the US.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS- Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto emphasized that there was no joint statement with the US Ministry of Defense when he met US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin last week. Prabowo said that in principle Indonesia is friendly with all countries and adheres to a free and active foreign policy.

“Indonesia's position is very clear. We are non-aligned. We are non-aligned, we are friends with all countries. So I think that's what's important," said Prabowo after handing over the electric trail motorbike to the TNI and Polri at the Ministry of Defense, Thursday (31/8).

Also read: Meeting US Minister of Defense, Prabowo Discusses Military Interoperability

Prabowo has affirmed that there is no joint statement with the US Ministry of Defense. One of the things mentioned by the Pentagon in the joint statement of the two ministers is the same view regarding China's maritime claims and expansive actions in the South China Sea (SCS). In this regard, in line with the principle of active non-alignment, Prabowo emphasized again that Indonesia has good relations with China, the United States, and Russia.

“There was no joint statement and no press conference, yes. What is important for me to underline is that our relationship with China is very good. We respect each other, we already have mutual understanding," Prabowo continued. Prabowo said that Indonesia is very friendly with China, respects the US and is friendly with Russia.

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS PARTAI GERINDRA

Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto spoke at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 in Singapore on Saturday (3/6/2023). Prabowo urged Ukraine and Russia to declare a ceasefire.

Prabowo then explained that the good relationship between Indonesia and several partner countries is reflected in the series of state visits he has undertaken. In the near future, Prabowo revealed that he will accept invitations and visit China and Russia. "I will also go to Moscow. I have also received an invitation to Beijing in October, God willing, I will be invited there," he said.

General Ahmad Yani University International Relations Lecturer, Yohanes Sulaiman, said that the statements contained in the joint press statement released by the Pentagon were normative in nature. Indonesia upholds matters of international law. In a statement on the Pentagon website, it was stated "Both share the same view that China's militarily expansive claims in the South China Sea are not in accordance with international law as stated in UNCLOS." The Chinese Embassy in its statement said it received information from the Indonesian side that the US statement was not true. "There is nothing controversial because Indonesia has always disagreed with this nine dash line," said Yohanes.

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In the official statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia, there was no mention of a Joint Statement. The statement, which was published on the Ministry of Defense website, did not touch on the matter of the South China Sea and UNCLOS. It stated that the Defense Minister of Indonesia, Prabowo, and the Defense Minister of the United States, Austin, discussed the commitment of the two largest democracies in the world to the rule of law and the professionalization of their armed forces. This year, Indonesian cadets from the Army, Air Force, and Navy have continued their studies in the United States.

REBIYYAH SALASAH

The Chairman of the Gerindra Party Prabowo Subianto was interviewed after giving a speech at the 15th anniversary celebration of the Gerindra Party in Jakarta on Monday (6/2/2023).