Message from Ambassador P.R. Brouwer<\/p>\n
Queen Beatrix, Prince Claus and Crown Prince Willem Alexander
\nare making a state visit to Indonesia this week. It will be Queen
\nBeatrix's first visit to Indonesia. In 1993 Prince Claus and
\nPrince Willem Alexander paid a visit to Indonesia, while Prince
\nBernhard, the Queen's father, has visited Indonesia several
\ntimes, the first time being when he accompanied Queen Juliana on
\na royal visit in 1971.<\/p>\n
In the 24 years since that first state visit, many changes
\nhave taken place in the Netherlands, in Indonesia and in the
\nworld. In 1971, the Netherlands successfully completed the first
\nphase of its reconstruction program in the aftermath of World War
\nII. With five other European countries, the process of Europe's
\nintegration was started. Now, the Netherlands has linked itself
\nstrongly with 15 member countries of the European Union. In the
\npast 24 years the Netherlands has grown into a veritable gateway
\nto Europe, a center of first class services covering a prosperous
\nmarket with a population of approximately 400 million people.<\/p>\n
Unification with other European countries has enriched the
\nNetherlands, not only in material terms. The free inter-state
\nrelations, the unlimited offer of magazines, books and television
\nprograms from neighboring countries have widened the views of
\nmany people and has made them more open toward new challenges.<\/p>\n
And the challenges do exist: the ropes that tied down Eastern
\nEurope have been released, with the hope there will be more
\nextensive cooperation and relations. The existing institutions
\nmust be reviewed in order to maintain accuracy and speed of work
\nwithout reducing their relationships. The continuity of the
\nEuropean integration should not mean that relations with the
\npartner countries on the other side of the Atlantic, i.e. the
\nUnited States and Canada, will weaken. It is also very important
\nthat the European Union continues to run its open politics toward
\nthe world outside Europe.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has also developed rapidly during the past quarter
\nof a century. Jakarta's scenery should convince anyone of this
\ndevelopment. The development has not only taken place in the
\ncapital of the Republic of Indonesia. In many other cities and in
\nrural areas it is very much in evidence. Twenty-five years ago
\nIndonesia still had to rise from an economic depression. At that
\ntime, the Netherlands actively participated in the development
\nand encouraged the international community to help Indonesia in
\nlaunching its economy that was undergoing some difficulties. With
\ntremendous effort by the Indonesian people, this country
\nsucceeded in becoming one of the countries with rapid economic
\ngrowth, winning the world's confidence.<\/p>\n
This strongly influences Indonesia's position in international
\npolitics. It is very correct to say that Indonesia has the
\nreputation of a country which really wishes to promote stability
\nand peace in the region and elsewhere in the world. Indonesia
\nplays an important role in the Non-Aligned Movement. Besides, as
\na loyal member of the United Nations, Indonesia has actively
\nhelped the UN's peace efforts.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, which consists of various ethnic groups and
\ncultures, has always strived to forge unity within this
\ndiversity, for the sake of the whole nation's welfare. It is not
\neasy to attain these noble ideals, but on the 50th anniversary of
\nthe independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the world can see
\nfor itself how much has been achieved in realizing these ideals.
\nHowever, Indonesia is also facing new challenges in continuing
\nthe integration process, firstly with neighboring countries in
\nASEAN and also with the Asia-Pacific countries. The basis was
\nalready laid down in the Bogor conference, which attained a
\nresounding success under the chairmanship of President Soeharto
\nlast year.<\/p>\n
Since the first state visit and the one this week, many
\nchanges have taken place in and around the Netherlands and
\nIndonesia. However, those changes do not affect the feelings that
\nhave existed between our two countries.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, the coming visit will certainly confirm that
\nour two countries have succeeded in coping with all these
\nchanges. I would also like to express my hope that Queen
\nBeatrix's visit will push further the developments and deepen the
\nrelations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic
\nof Indonesia in various fields.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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