Foreign ministry follows reform drive

Foreign ministry follows reform drive

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started to
reform itself by reviewing and changing policies no longer
suitable under the present situation.

Speaking in a ceremony to mark the ministry's 53rd anniversary
yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said a bill on
international relations had been submitted to the President which
would hopefully be put forward to the House of Representatives
(DPR) for deliberation soon.

The bill is expected to become the legal basis for a more
effective, efficient and well-coordinated implementation of
foreign policies, Alatas said as quoted by Antara.

In line with the spirit of reform, the bill will give the
private sector more opportunity to participate in the
international arena, Alatas said.

He said the ministry has served the nation for the past 53
years and has been instrumental in a number of historical events
since independence in 1945.

"The steps we have taken have not always been smooth. But with
firm resolve, we have been able to overcome the constraints and
barriers that we face," he said.