Strengthening RI-Russia cooperation a priority: Coordinating Minister Airlangga

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has stated that strengthening bilateral cooperation is a government priority in expanding mutually beneficial strategic partnerships, including with Russia. “Strengthening bilateral cooperation is one of the government’s priorities in expanding mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with various countries, including Russia, which has been a strategic partner of Indonesia for 76 years of diplomatic relations,” he said. Airlangga delivered this message in his speech at the Russian National Day celebration in Jakarta on Monday evening (29/6). He noted that Indonesia and Russia have built a strong and comprehensive partnership across various fields, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, trade and investment, energy, defence, education, science and technology, and culture. According to him, the economic relationship between the two countries continues to show positive development, with bilateral trade value in 2025 reaching 5 billion US dollars (approximately Rp89.4 trillion). Moreover, the number of Russian tourist visits to Indonesia continues to increase, supported by the current opening of direct flights on the Moscow–Denpasar route. “For more than seven decades, our partnership has continued to grow based on mutual respect and shared interests. The solid foundation built by our predecessors has been maintained across generations of leadership and remains the basis guiding our cooperation today,” he said. Airlangga added that efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia were previously undertaken by the government through a visit to Kazan last May. “Both countries believe that strong institutional cooperation, supported by active engagement between government and the business sector, will continue to serve as the foundation for the economic partnership between Indonesia and Russia,” he said. Russia’s National Day, commemorated every 12 June, was also attended by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Speaker of the Regional Representative Council Sultan B. Najamudin, and foreign ambassadors in Jakarta, including those from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey.