Indonesia, as coordinator for Asian countries in the Forum for East Asia – Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), is set to play a greater role in Asian and Latin American relations in the coming years.

In a Press Conference held in Tokyo on 17 January 2010 at 12.15. pm local time to mark FEALAC’s Foreign Ministerial Meeting (held on 16 – 17 January 2010 in Tokyo) Indonesian Foreign Minister Mr. Marty Natalegawa stated that in conducting its role as coordinator, Indonesia is ready to build bridges between the Asian and Latin American regions.  The Minister also pointed out that Indonesia has been at the forefront of building inter-regional bridges, as has been shown in the 1955 Asia – Africa Conference initiated by Indonesia in Bandung. 

Mr. Natalegawa also emphasized that Indonesia is a firm believer in the role of FEALAC as a forum to promote and broaden relations between the two regions, particularly as FEALAC has identified issues of common concern such as financial and economic issues, social inclusion, the environment and sustainable development.

In response to a question from a Japanese journalist about any future assistance Indonesia expected from Japan, Mr. Natalegawa stated that Indonesia and Japan’s relations are mutually beneficial ones and that in addition to long-standing trade and economic relations, cooperation between Japan and Indonesia has evolved in various fields.

Japan has become a key partner for Indonesia in addressing climate change and environmental issues, and has also worked closely with Indonesia in strengthening democratic institutions, as reflected by Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Yukio Hatoyama’s presence as co-chair of the Bali Democracy Forum II on 10 – 11 December 2009.  The Minister also added that engagement between Indonesia and Japan would become more interrelated and multi-faceted as Indonesia is now participating in the G-20 forum, which the Minister noted was an acknowledgement by the international community of the importance of an Indonesian role in addressing global issues.

FEALAC was established in 1999 to promote and broaden cooperation between Asia and Latin American countries. FEALAC consists of 16 Asian countries and 18 Latin American countries; the latter are currently coordinated by Argentina.