Indonesia and Finland Forge New Diplomatic Ties at World Economic Forum

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono held a historic bilateral meeting with Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, on January 22, 2025. This marked the first official meeting between the two ministers, signifying a potential new era of partnership between the nations.

Reinforcing Economic Cooperation

In her welcoming remarks, Minister Sugiono expressed gratitude for Finland’s commitment to enhancing economic ties with Indonesia. A particular area of interest is the conclusion of Indonesia’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union, which Sugiono believes can benefit both countries.

Expanding Partnership Across Sectors

Beyond economics, Sugiono detailed the aspirations for bolstering Indonesia-Finland cooperation in health, digital infrastructure, and energy. These sectors hold significant potential for future growth and development.

ASEAN and Regional Cooperation

Sugiono also highlighted Finland’s dedication to nurturing relations with ASEAN. Finland’s ongoing efforts to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) are seen as a step towards deeper regional integration.

Global Issues and Diplomacy

The meeting covered global concerns, with Valtonen outlining Finland’s ongoing efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. As the current chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Finland is actively involved in conflict resolution.

Conversely, Sugiono requested Finland’s support for achieving a two-state solution in Palestine and expressed appreciation for Finland’s aid in rebuilding Gaza and supporting UNRWA. He also acknowledged Finland’s backing for Indonesia’s aspirations to gain OECD membership.

Collaborative Infrastructure Initiatives

Previous collaborations have laid a solid foundation for future ventures. Last year, the Ministry of Public Works discussed potential partnerships with Finland to develop infrastructure in the New Nusantara Capital (IKN). Funding options such as loans and B2B investments were explored.

Deputy Minister of Public Works, Diana Kusumastuti, detailed the comprehensive infrastructure projects under consideration. These include smart water systems, smart transportation, irrigation reservoirs, fire protection, drainage systems, and major road developments.

Building on Past Visits

The initial steps towards this partnership were taken when Finnish Minister of Economy and Employment Jyrki Katainen visited the Ministry of Public Works in January 2024. Katainen’s visit provided valuable insights into Finland’s expertise in digitalization, emphasizing areas of mutual interest.

Future Perspectives

The Finnish government welcomed the opportunity to contribute to infrastructure development in Indonesia. They expressed hope for continued improvements and deeper collaboration in the future.

The diplomatic history between Indonesia and Finland spans 70 years, with flourishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This meeting underscores the growing partnership and sets the stage for future collaborations.

Editor’s Choice:
Finland Investigates Oil Tanker Linked to Internet and Power Cable Outages

Click here to stay updated with the latest Tempo news on Google News