TEMPO.CO, Tokyo - Japan has declared its support for Indonesia to be a non-permanent of the United Nations Security Council. The declaration of support was expressed by Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nobuo Kishi during a meeting with Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, April 14, 2017.
Susi explained that Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi asked her to request a support from the Japanese government during her visit to Japan. In addition to meeting with Mr. Kishi, Susi also met with Japan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Keidanren.
Indonesia has planned to secure a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period of 2019-2020. The election will be held in New York, US, in June 2018. Indonesia will be competing with Maldives for representing the Asia-Pacific region.
Indonesia has secured supports from 95 countries consisting of 22 unilateral supports, 19 spoken supports, and 54 mutual supports. In order to be selected, Indonesia needs support at least from 129 countries.
The Indonesian government is optimistic to obtain more supports from other 92 countries, consisting of 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, 33 African countries, 12 East European countries, 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries, and 10 West European countries.
RETNO SULISTYOWATI (TOKYO)