27-6-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s newly appointed Ambassador to Romania and Moldova, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, has been tasked with exploring Indonesia’s economic potential in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Balkans, by President Joko Widodo.
Suryodiningrat was inaugurated by President Widodo among 11 other ambassadors at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday (June 26). After the ceremony, the ambassador revealed that Widodo had emphasized three or four points regarding their duties in Romania.
One of the major points highlighted by the President was economic diplomacy to increase Indonesia’s economic potential abroad, especially in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The second point was related to the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia, while the third point was related to the protection of Indonesian citizens abroad.
The fourth point, which applied to all Indonesian ambassadors, was to focus on facilitating, securing, and ensuring the smooth implementation of the 2024 general elections.
Romania has enormous potential, and Eastern Europe offers many challenges that can be transformed into opportunities if they are utilized properly, Suryodiningrat noted.
The ambassador also stressed the importance of securing and ensuring the supply and export flow of wheat to Indonesia, as the commodity is one of the country’s staple raw materials. The region is a significant wheat producer, and securing the flow of the commodity would be crucial for Indonesia.
Suryodiningrat has a strong background in journalism, having served as the President Director of the state-owned news agency ANTARA since January 2016. He was previously the Editor-in-Chief of The Jakarta Post for six years and a member of the board of directors of PT Bina Media Tenggara, the publisher of The Jakarta Post.
He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Carleton University in Ottawa, a master’s degree from Dalhousie University, and served as a fellow researcher at Harvard University.
