'Every domestic issue has a foreign policy aspect'

Indonesia looks set to reassert itself in international fora with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono bringing a new dimension to foreign policy. The Jakarta Post's Endy M. Bayuni and Meidyatama Suryodiningrat talked to Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda about the foreign policy outlook, including the commitment to regional cooperation and the propagation of democracy. Excerpts of the interview:

Question: How were you recruited by the president? Where you summoned to Cikeas (Susilo's private residence) and interviewed like several other ministers?

Answer: I was summoned to Cikeas. As we began our discussion, the then president-elect said "Pak Hassan we know each other quite well. So our discussion here is not a 'fit and proper test'".

And what he said was true. We do know each other well from working in the Cabinet. That's why, during the meeting, he elaborated more on his foreign policy vision. I explain what had been accomplished and the ministry's general plans for the future, and there was a meeting point (between us). So, in his own words, it really was not a "fit and proper test".

Will there be significant changes in foreign policy under President Susilo's administration?

The keyword is "continuity". There will be differences in certain accentuated areas in line with the targets of the Cabinet, which stress peace, stability, democracy and prosperity.

These targets seem domestic in nature, but carry with them foreign policy dimensions. Every domestic issue has a foreign policy aspect, which diplomacy could contribute to.

In terms of the (traditional) aspects of diplomacy, the Cabinet reaffirmed that ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is the cornerstone of our foreign policy. Our commitment to regional integration remains. During the first Cabinet meeting the President remarked that international cooperation is an important inevitability.

The President will attend the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) and ASEAN Summits later this month. That's a sign of his commitment to regional initiatives.

Those summit meetings are an opportunity to hold bilateral talks. I believe these events will be a very important indicator of the president's foreign policy direction in the coming five years. Summit diplomacy has become a very important component of international diplomacy. These summits are not merely ceremonial gatherings, they are working summits.

We shall continue to engage closely with our cooperation partners, such as the European Union, the United States, and other developing countries and related organizations -- the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference), Non-Aligned Movement, etc. The president is committed to the preceding government's initiative of an Asia-Africa Summit in April of next year.

I must also mention that the President has placed great attention to development in the Middle East, especially toward the formation of a Palestinian state.

The presence of a new president brings a different style. How will this influence the nuance of Indonesian diplomacy?

Personal idiosyncrasies have an important affect. But Pak Susilo is no stranger (to international relations). He has engaged with foreign counterparts as a coordinating minister in handling various issues including East Timor, terrorism. As Minister of Energy he also engaged in economic diplomacy.

These are assets that will help in summit diplomacy. I am confident he will bring a positive color and contribute to Indonesian diplomacy. I saw in recent weeks how hands-on he is when it comes to foreign policy issues ... Which is good!

After a period of political stability, macroeconomic progress and an election lauded around the world, are we about to see the ascendance of Indonesian foreign policy?

I would say so. With the economic crisis behind us, we can now focus more on foreign policy. Our achievements bring a new role, a new perspective for Indonesian foreign policy.

Democracy is a national asset that has a high "selling value" in the international sphere. In the context of terrorism, the debate over a clash of civilizations, we see moderate Islam prevailing in our country as another asset. The challenge now is how to externally project these positive assets.

Next year we shall host and co-sponsor with Australia an interfaith dialog to be attended by the ASEAN members, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. It's in our interest to promote the kind of moderate Islam practiced here to the rest of the world, so we can counter the misperceptions about Islam. We shall also organize, together with Britain -- as part of the ASEM process -- another interfaith dialog involving 38 Asian and European countries.

In terms of democracy we are also in a rather advantageous position. Just look at ASEAN. We have a gathering of countries that, on the one hand, is democratic but on the other hand is a military junta. That is not healthy. I don't think we can maintain ASEAN cohesion under these conditions. That is why one of the six elements in the ASEAN Security Community is "political development" where the development of democracy is one of the activities.

This is where the paradox comes in. Indonesia has a moral obligation to "promote" democracy, but at the same time it is one of the primary exponents of political sovereignty.

When we promote democracy we do not claim that it is an exclusively Indonesian value. It is part of global trends and values. But what's interesting is that we engaged in the process of democratization on our own initiative. It was not imposed. This is what differentiates us from other parts of the world (that are adopting democracy).

I recall what the Emir of Qatar said -- as head of the Group of 77 -- during the General Assembly of the United Nations in September. He said "democracy, dialog is no longer an option. It is a necessity".

So there is a strong recognition of reform, and the development of democracy (around the world), even from countries that in the past were known to be rather conservative.

The magnitude of reform from a nation of 220 million people embarking on a path of democracy by its own conviction is immense! We can share this experience (by) sharing the "best practices" of our process.

If you ask whether this contradicts the principle of sovereignty, then my answer is "no". In sharing these best practices, we do not intend to impose values on others because democracy cannot be imposed. Our democracy was a local process, which matched with the global trend.