Indonesia's Foreign Ministry affirms that US "overflight clearance" is still under review

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has affirmed that the official overflight clearance requested by the United States, allowing its aircraft to pass through Indonesian airspace, is not yet in effect as it remains under intensive review. “There is no policy granting unrestricted access to foreign parties to use Indonesian airspace,” said Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang in Jakarta on Wednesday. Yvonne confirmed that the overflight clearance is a proposal from the US side but is still under internal consideration by the Indonesian Government. Yvonne stressed that every form of cooperation arrangement, including with the US, will continue to be within the framework of Indonesia’s full sovereignty and will comply with applicable national mechanisms and procedures. Defence cooperation between Indonesia and the US focuses on strengthening a broader cooperation framework. “Overflight arrangements do not constitute the main pillar of that cooperation,” Yvonne stated. According to Rico, the point of cooperation regarding permissions for US aircraft activities in Indonesian airspace is still being considered by the Indonesian Government. The Government remains consistent in its position that every cooperation decision built with all partners, including the US, must benefit Indonesia. The new MDCP was signed by Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Defence Minister Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., United States, on Monday (13/4). Rico said the content of the agreed military collaboration agreement between Indonesia and the US includes cooperation in developing defence technology capacity, enhancing operational readiness, professional military education, and strengthening interpersonal defence relations between the two countries.