Indonesia Invites the Netherlands to Support Priority Programs
The Hague, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono, has invited the Netherlands to support Indonesia’s key priority programs, particularly in food security and energy transition, during a high-level meeting in The Hague.
Sugiono met with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on February 21, reaffirming the Netherlands’ position as Indonesia’s most significant partner in Europe.
“As a key partner in the European Union, Indonesia hopes to continue strengthening its comprehensive partnership with the Netherlands,” Sugiono stated in an official release on Sunday.
The minister outlined Indonesia’s priority programs and extended an invitation for Dutch participation in strategic initiatives, including efforts to enhance the productivity of Indonesian fishermen.
In response, Schoof and Veldkamp expressed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in food security and free nutritious meal initiatives. Schoof also emphasized the crucial role of Indonesia and the Netherlands in bridging Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
The officials also discussed the Indonesia-Netherlands Comprehensive Partnership, agreeing to assess the Plan of Action for its implementation, which is set to conclude in December 2025, and to formulate future strategies for continued collaboration.
Beyond bilateral relations, Sugiono and Veldkamp exchanged views on key regional and global issues, including the situations in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and BRICS. Sugiono urged European Union countries to expand their economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific to foster regional balance and prosperity.
As part of discussions on Indonesia’s membership in BRICS, Sugiono highlighted Indonesia’s aspiration to serve as a bridge between developing and developed nations, as well as between BRICS and Southeast Asia.
Following his visit to the Netherlands, Sugiono is set to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the High-Level Meeting of the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament.
