Indonesian House Speaker Maharani stresses the need for enhanced parliamentary cooperation with Italy, introducing a Bilateral Cooperation Group. She highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy to mitigate global crises and addressed various sectors for collaboration, including education and military. Maharani invited Italian officials for future visits to foster further cooperation.
Maharani, the House Speaker, highlighted the necessity of enhancing parliamentary cooperation between Indonesia and Italy, advocating for parliamentary diplomacy to support intergovernmental relations. “The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) views the importance of encouraging closer inter-parliamentary dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy, bilaterally, regionally, and globally,” she stated. In this regard, the establishment of a Bilateral Cooperation Group (GKSB) between the two countries was announced to foster such diplomacy.
She emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy can help navigate and mitigate global crises, including geopolitical tensions and climate issues. Maharani acknowledged the positive relations existing between Indonesia and Italy and stressed the importance of addressing cooperation matters, particularly in light of both nations’ shared democratic values.
With Indonesia’s recent inclusion in the BRICS economic bloc, enhancing economic ties is crucial. Maharani called for improvements in cooperation across various sectors including education, culture, industry, and agriculture, highlighting the need for collaboration between universities in both countries.
In education, she advocated for initiatives like joint degree programs, exchange opportunities for students and lecturers, joint research, and international publications to deepen ties. Additionally, she proposed enhancing people-to-people connections through tourism, youth exchanges, scholarships, and interfaith dialogue.
Further, Maharani recounted the recent military collaboration, where the Indonesian Navy procured two ships from the Italian firm Fincantieri to bolster national maritime defense. The vessels KRI Brawijaya 320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi 321 were purchased to enhance Indonesia’s naval capabilities.
In her closing remarks, Maharani invited her Italian counterpart, Fontana, to make an official visit to Indonesia, promoting ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the two nations.
The article talks about the efforts made by Indonesia to strengthen its diplomatic relations with Italy through parliamentary channels. Key initiatives like the Bilateral Cooperation Group are being established to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue, emphasizing the importance of communication in addressing global issues. The context includes Indonesia’s growing economic stature within international alliances like BRICS and the focus on cultural and educational collaboration between the two countries.
The dialogue between Indonesia and Italy signifies a strategic approach to enhancing bilateral relations, particularly through parliamentary diplomacy and collaboration across multiple sectors. Initiatives in education, military, and people-to-people connections reflect a commitment to strengthening ties, vital for addressing common challenges and fostering cooperation. Future visits and ongoing discussions promise to further solidify this partnership.
Original Source: en.antaranews.com