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The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is much more
important than just a silaturrahmi (courtesy call) forum.
That was the message of two Indonesian ministers in Sydney on Friday,
in apparent response to domestic skepticism over the importance of
Indonesia's participation in various multilateral forum like the APEC
summit.
Speaking to Indonesian reporters hours before the arrival of President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday evening, Trade Minister Mari
Pangestu and Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said multilateral
meetings like the APEC forum were strategic for Indonesia and its
national interests.
Mari acknowledged that for many Indonesians the informal APEC forum is
just a big show for ministers and heads of government.
"Many people ask what kind of animal is APEC?" Mari said.
Public skepticism over the importance of the APEC summit is reflected
in the small number of Indonesian journalists in Sydney covering the
meeting.
Apart from a group of journalists who have been invited by the palace
to accompany the President during his visit to Sydney, only three
Indonesian media organizations have covered the summit from the opening
senior official meetings.
Like the Indonesian media, media from neighboring countries like
Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines pay much more attention to the
summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
But according to Mari, "One of the advantages of the APEC summit is 21
heads of government and state (minus Hong Kong and Taiwan) can meet
informally to discuss various things and not just the issues that come
from their ministers."
"Especially since 2001 there are various global issues that can be
discussed by the leaders," said the trade minister.
An example from Mari: the bilateral meeting between U.S. President
George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao, and the chance for both
to address an APEC business meeting and explain their positions on
efforts to revive stalled World Trade Organization talks.
Citing her own experiences at meetings with her APEC counterparts, Mari
said good personal relations with the ministers of other countries were
often helpful in dealing with trade problems with other APEC countries.
"It is a unique opportunity, it is not a negotiation forum, but a forum
for exchanges of views and to have open dialogue," said Mari.
Minister Hassan said the WTO and UN forums should be used to negotiate
major issues, but informal meeting during APEC summits were an
important opportunity to overcome or minimize divergences among
association members.
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