Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) hosted a forum on Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Indonesia on November 21, 2023.
Echoing Indonesia’s diplomacy with the theme “Rowing between two reefs in a fast-changing world”, the event was graced by Minister Counsellor Dr. Partogi Jan Pieter Samosir, Head of the Embassy of Indonesia-Manila Political Section, and attended by Xavier Ateneo political science, international studies and history faculty and students.
MC Samosir’s talk highlighted Indonesia’s foreign policy prioritizing the recovery process, citizens’ protection abroad, promotion of peace and Indonesia’s leadership role in the Group of 20.
“My mission here is to have a better cooperation, not just a mere cooperation of the program, but a more solid one,” he stressed. That’s why I proposed if it’s possible to establish a sister university with a Catholic University in Indonesia like Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, or with Christian Universities like Petra Christian University, PCU (Indonesian: Universitas Kristen Petra) in Surabaya, East Java – Indonesia or The Christian University of Indonesia (UKI, or Universitas Kristen Indonesia) in Central Jakarta, and Cawang, East Jakarta. But that all depends with what Xavier University prefers and we can arrange if with them.”
With regards to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), MC Samosir said currently Indonesia prefers to focus on the non-aligned status of the larger Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and bilateral relations with the BIMP countries.
“Indonesia prefers to prioritize ASEAN as the epicenter of growth, including implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and ASEAN Outlook in Indo-Pacific, and to use ASEAN health crisis-related mechanisms to achieve an inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic recovery,” MC Samosir noted.
He cited the positive growth rate of ASEAN rom 2000-2022 estimated to rise further to 5.0-5.3 percent in 2022, higher than the 3.2 percent global growth average.
With the entry of Timor-Leste, ASEAN needs deeper integration, stronger institutions, processes and mechanisms to openly and constructively address political and security issues between its members and external partners.
“The post-2025 ASEAN agenda will be crucial to ensure a more secure and stable region, narrow development and infrastructure gaps, as well as strengthen resilience against future shocks and crises,” he noted.
In response, Fr. Amado T. Tumbali Jr, SJ, Chairman of Xavier Ateneo’s History & International Studies Department, highlighted how the waters that distance the Philippines and Indonesia, the two largest archipelagoes in Asia, has become a platform for unity.
“Minister Samosir’s presentation located for us where the Philippines and Indonesian relations are in the scope of Asia-Pacific geo-economics with a bold encouragement to us, Filipinos, to continue and strengthen the circular economy between the two nations,” Fr. Tumbali stressed.
(Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) and B1mbo)
He noted further how the convergent exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of both countries presents positive opportunities of cooperation in economy and maritime peace and order.
“Indeed, the strength of union among countries is measured in converting differences and other obstacles into opportunities, rather than obstacles,” he added.
Thus, despite the two nation’s diversity shaped by social and historical developments, Fr. Tumbali cited how events of cooperation such as the forum serve as reminders that cross-country economic resources are there to be shared, with a shared human dignity to promote as well as defend.
“After all, we all have the same planet, our common home, to heal and protect,” he concluded. “May our diversity enrich the solutions that shall contribute in making our world, particularly our common ASEAN region a better place.”
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