Costa Rica Backs Indonesia UN Security Council Membership Bid
4 September 2017 06:54 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Costa Rica backs Indonesia in its United Nations (UN) Security Council membership bid. The support was conveyed personally by Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Manuel Antonio Gonzales Sans to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi yesterday in Jakarta.
“Indonesia appreciates Costa Rica’s support for Indonesia’s bid to become UN Security Council non-permanent member for the 2019-2020 term,” FM Retno said in a joint press conference after the meeting.
FM Gonzales revealed that both countries share the same stance over global issues, such as climate change and sustainable development. “We also respect Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN,” he said.
The Foreign Minister visited Indonesia to inaugurate a Costa Rican embassy in Jakarta, coincided with the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
FM Retno said that the Costa Rican embassy is the 104th to be established in Jakarta and 12th among South American and Caribbean countries. “The Costa Rican embassy confirms Jakarta’s [position] as the capital city of ASEAN,” she said.
At the bilateral meeting, both countries also discussed trade deals. At a moderate figure, the bilateral trade saw an increasing trend from US$30.2 million in 2015 to US$59.6 million in 2016.
Indonesia and Costa Rica also agree on student exchange programs. “Eight Costa Rican youths have enjoyed scholarships offered by Indonesia,” FM Retno said.
Both have also agreed on new renewable energy projects. Costa Rica currently uses hydro and geothermal power plant to meet almost 100 percent need for energy. Other agreements include those on railway projects and disaster mitigation.
NATALIA SANTI