Puan-Lorenzo's 30-Minute Meeting Discusses Parliamentary Cooperation to Warships

Meeting with the Speaker of the Italian Parliament, Lorenzo Fontana, was one of the agendas carried out by the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, Puan Maharani, during her visit to Rome, Italy, this week. Through this meeting, the enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries and cooperation in various fields were initiated.

Puan has been in Rome, Italy since January 31. The Chairperson of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has attended several agendas, including the World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights and visited the headquarters of Scholas Occurrentes, a global education movement founded by Pope Francis.

On Thursday (6/2/2025), Puan visited the Italian Parliament building in Rome. Accompanied by Ahmad Basarah, a member of the House of Representatives from the PDI-P faction, and the General Treasurer of PDI-P Olly Dodokambey, Puan was welcomed by the Speaker of the Italian Parliament Lorenzo Fontana upon arriving at the parliament building at around 12:30 local time.

The two shook hands and exchanged smiles before engaging in conversation. The bilateral meeting between the leaders of the legislative bodies of the two countries was held behind closed doors for approximately 30 minutes. The meeting concluded with an exchange of souvenirs.

After the meeting, Basarah revealed that the enhancement of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Italy was the main topic of discussion. Both Puan and Lorenzo expressed their desire for the close relationship between Indonesia and Italy to be further strengthened.

"In the meeting, there was hope that the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Italy, which have been good so far, could be further strengthened," said Basarah.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Italy began when Italy recognized Indonesia's independence on September 29, 1949. However, the Indonesian government only opened its diplomatic representation in Rome, the capital of Italy, in March 1952. Meanwhile, the Italian government had already opened its representative office in Jakarta in October 1951.

Now, after three-quarters of a century have passed, the relationship between Indonesia and Italy remains strong. Cooperation is not only established in the field of government but also in the economy and even culture.

To Lorenzo, Puan also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. According to Puan, cooperation between parliaments is needed to complement diplomatic relations between the governments of the two countries.

"The Indonesian House of Representatives views the importance of encouraging closer inter-parliamentary dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy both bilaterally, regionally and globally," he said.

As a form of parliamentary diplomacy, the Indonesian House of Representatives for the 2024-2029 period has formed the Indonesian House of Representatives Bilateral Cooperation Group (GKSB) with Italy. The Indonesian-Italian GKSB is part of the 102 GKSBs formed by the DPR on January 30.

"Parliamentary diplomacy is expected to bridge differences between countries, at a time when the world is facing various crises, such as increasing geopolitical tensions, war, conflict, great power competition, climate," explained Puan.

In addition to strengthening diplomatic relations, Puan also touched on defense cooperation between Indonesia and Italy. Recently, the Indonesian Navy received two warships made by Fincantieri, an Italian shipping company. The two warships will be used to strengthen the defense of Indonesia's maritime territory.

"I am pleased with the success of the naming ceremony for two Indonesian warships, namely KRI Brawijaya-320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, which were purchased from Fincantieri Italy on January 29, 2025," he said.

The two Italian-made ships are Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). This ship has a length of 143 meters, a width of 16.5 meters, a draft of 5.2 meters, a maximum speed of 32 knots with a combined diesel, electric, and gas turbine propulsion. In addition, the weapons owned are SAM: 16 VL Systems, SSM: 8 Teseo Mk-2E, 127 mm cannon, 76 mm cannon, and torpedoes.

Parliamentary diplomacy is expected to bridge differences between countries, at a time when the world is facing various crises, such as increasing geopolitical tensions, war, conflict, great power competition, climate change.

The contract between the Indonesian Government and Fincantieri worth 1.18 billion euros was signed in March 2024. At that time, the two ships had been completed for the Italian Navy. The ships were launched in November 2022 and named "Marcantonio Colonna" and "Ruggiero di Lauria."

In his remarks during the naming ceremony of the two warships on January 29, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that the procurement of the two Italian-made warships was a real commitment by the government to strengthen the country's defense, especially the Indonesian Navy. This cooperation with Italy also shows that strategic partnerships between Indonesia and international partners can produce modern and highly competitive defense equipment. (Kompas.id, January 30, 2025).

Puan said that the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Italy is a complementary relationship. Not only in the field of defense, but also in other fields such as economy and trade. The Chairperson of the PDI-P DPP encouraged more private sector cooperation or business to business (B to B) between Indonesia and Italy.

“We need to continue to find constructive and collaborative ways to increase trade in various commodities, without creating new trade barriers,” he said.

Through Lorenzo, Puan hopes for the support of the Italian parliament for increasing cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The good relationship that has been established so far is expected to be a strong foundation for developing concrete cooperation, especially in the economic sector. However, cooperation must be built to benefit both countries, including improving the welfare of the people of both countries.

The development of cooperation in the economic sector between Indonesia and Italy is considered by Puan to be increasingly significant considering that Indonesia has officially joined the economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). "The economic cooperation between Indonesia and Italy itself is quite large and needs to be improved, including in the fields of education, culture, industry, and agriculture," said Puan.

In the field of education, Puan encourages cooperation between Indonesian and Italian universities. For example, by creating joint degree programs. "Also by increasing the exchange of lecturers and students, as well as joint research and international publications," she added.

Furthermore, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture assessed the importance of Indonesia and Italy strengthening people-to-people contacts through tourism, youth exchange programs, religious leader exchanges, scholarships and intensifying interfaith dialogue.

On that occasion, Puan also expressed her gratitude for Italy's approval regarding the submission of the Indonesian Ambassador candidate for the country. Currently, the Indonesian government has appointed Junimart Girsang as the Indonesian Ambassador to Italy.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo Fontana expressed his appreciation for Puan's visit to the Italian parliament. "We are pleased with the presence of the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani because this will strengthen relations between the two countries amidst the world's difficulties," he said.