Jakarta, July 20 -- Indonesia's free and active foreign policy is not the same as being neutral, Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno said on Saturday.

"Neutrality is a legal condition under international law in the context of inter-state relations, particularly in times of war," Oegroseno stated here on Saturday (July 19).

He explained that neutrality must be specifically declared, for example, Switzerland's stance during World War II.

"At that time during World War II, Switzerland declared its neutrality, meaning it did not take sides in the ongoing war," he said.

According to him, Indonesia's free and active foreign policy translates into being independent and active.

Independence, he said, refers to the ability to determi...