REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Mutual understanding is the key to holding continuous human rights dialog between Indonesia and Norway, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi.

"Cooperation in holding a series of Indonesian-Norwegian human rights dialog since 2002 has managed to build mutual understanding and make a concrete contribution to the two countries," the minister stated while opening the 12th Indonesia-Norway Human Rights Dialog being held on May 30-31.

The world is now facing greater challenges following failing democracies leading to extremism, violence, and radicalism in some countries, she pointed out.

"I hope through this dialog, the two countries will strengthen collaboration at the national, regional, and multilateral levels in promoting and protecting human rights," Marsudi was quoted as saying in a statement on Tuesday.