Foreign Minister assures that US "overflight access" is still under discussion

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that the United States’ request for overflight access through Indonesian airspace will go through a discussion process, with similar agreements potentially possible with other countries. “Regarding overflight access, it is an intent expressed by the American side, which will then go through processes and discussion mechanisms, what the mechanisms are like, and so on in Indonesia,” Sugiono said when met after a press conference at the Presidential Staff Office in Jakarta on Wednesday. He assured that the discussions will consider sovereignty and national interests as priorities, given the government’s obligation to protect the Indonesian nation and its entire homeland. However, the Foreign Minister also reminded that Indonesia has a tradition and free and active foreign policy that does not rule out cooperation with many countries. Specifically highlighting the current global situation, Indonesia cannot avoid impacts on certain issues. “As a country with a tradition and free and active foreign policy, if similar agreements are made with other countries, there is no problem. What the mechanisms are like, what the implementation is like. So, it should not be perceived as something that drags Indonesia and threatens its sovereignty,” he said. Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the official overflight clearance requested by the United States for its aircraft to pass through Indonesian airspace has not yet been granted at all because it is still being intensively reviewed.