Indonesia-Malta Pledge Stronger Maritime, Economic Ties

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Malta are seeking to elevate their long-standing ties by expanding cooperation in maritime affairs, economic engagement, and the protection of Indonesian citizens, as Jakarta deepens its outreach to European partners with shared archipelagic interests.

The commitment was reaffirmed when Indonesia’s Ambassador to Italy, concurrently accredited to Malta, San Marino and Cyprus, Junimart Girsang, presented his credentials to Maltese President Myriam Spiteri Debono at the Presidential Palace in Valletta on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

“Cooperation between Indonesia and Malta must be strengthened across various sectors, including political, economic, multilateral, socio-cultural cooperation, as well as the protection of Indonesian citizens,” Junimart Girsang said in a statement released by the Indonesian Embassy in Rome on Thursday, February 19, as quoted by Antara.

During the ceremony, the ambassador conveyed a message of friendship from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and expressed hope that collaboration between the two countries would continue to expand.

President Debono described Indonesia as an important and strategic partner for Malta, highlighting the two nations’ shared identity as archipelagic states with aligned maritime interests.

She underscored the importance of enhancing maritime education cooperation, particularly through the International Maritime Law Institute, and praised Indonesia’s role in promoting regional and global peace and stability.

Indonesia and Malta established diplomatic relations on December 1, 1979. Since then, engagement has developed through multilateral forums and maritime education cooperation.

As part of his visit, Junimart Girsang also met Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg and Speaker of Parliament Anġlu Farrugia. Discussions covered strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, and opportunities for Indonesian professionals to work in Malta.

According to the embassy, the credential ceremony concluded with a state luncheon hosted by President Debono. ***