RI, Netherlands can bridge ASEAN-EU relations<\/p>\n
Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot attended Indonesia's 60th
\nIndependence Day celebrations, the highest-ranking attendance
\never since the Netherlands ceded its claim to sovereignty over
\nIndonesia in 1949. The Jakarta Post's Riyadi Suparno and
\nVeeramalla Anjaiah interviewed the foreign minister to get his
\nviews on bilateral issues. Following are some excerpts:<\/p>\n
Question: The Netherlands has finally recognized Indonesia's
\nindependence of August 17, 1945, instead of Dec. 27, 1949. The
\nNetherlands has also expressed its regrets over the suffering
\nthat resulted from Dutch military actions between the two dates.
\nWhat does it mean to your country and how will it influence your
\nrelations with Indonesia?<\/p>\n
Answer: We have now reached the stage where we are both
\nlooking back at a strained relationship in the past. We have been
\nvery open about it, we have expressed the acknowledgement of the
\ndate, which is of course painful for us, and we have expressed
\nour regrets for what happened in the period between 1945 and
\n1949, and it has been accepted gracefully here by the President
\nand the minister of foreign affairs. And I thank them very much.<\/p>\n
It's important because it means that our relations would be
\nput to a new footing. From there on, we could continue on with an
\notherwise already a good relationship, but always it can be
\nbetter.<\/p>\n
How do you now see Indonesia in terms of your foreign
\nrelations and how do you foresee the future of bilateral
\nrelations?<\/p>\n
Indonesia is increasingly an important player, not only in
\nASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) but also in
\nAsia. Many countries are now looking at Indonesia as an example
\nand as a leader. Indonesia, under the new President, is also
\nbecoming more self-conscious of that role. It was very much a
\nfocus on its own situations during previous periods, and now I
\nfeel that it's conscious of its international role.<\/p>\n
At the same time, it's very important that relations between
\nthe European Union and ASEAN be strengthened. Indonesia and the
\nNetherlands can help each other there, given that special
\nrelationship; Indonesia because of its prominent roles in ASEAN,
\nand the Netherlands because of its roles in the EU.<\/p>\n
I was struck by your comment that the Netherlands is just a
\nsmall country known for its soccer players, but it does not
\naddress the Netherlands as a key player in the European
\nintegration process. It has a huge GDP (gross domestic products),
\nthat is more than twice that of Indonesia. Our GDP is more of the
\nwhole 10 EU new member states combined. Also, we are of course a
\nfar more important geographical player because we are a gateway
\nto Europe. So, we can be an important link (between EU and Asia).
\nThat relationship could be beneficial for both sides.<\/p>\n
Take the Aceh monitoring mission, for example. There is a EU-
\nASEAN monitoring mission. It's for the first time that we have
\nsuch a combination. From there, I think we can learn a lot from
\neach other. It also creates a precedence for future cooperation
\nin many fields because we need each other ...<\/p>\n
But of course, it needs two to tango, two to shake hands. Let
\nsee what we can do in near future, and let's work on the basis of
\nthe renewed relationship.<\/p>\n
You and the EU are involved in helping settle the Aceh
\nproblem. Would you -- and the EU -- also be available to help
\nIndonesia once again to settle the Papua issue, and in what way?<\/p>\n
First of all, I want to repeat over and over again, that we
\nrecognize the territorial integrity of Indonesia. For the
\nNetherlands, that's our political philosophy as far as Indonesia
\nis concerned.<\/p>\n
It is the Indonesian government that has to determine how it's
\ngoing to implement the special status of Papua. When I had a
\ndiscussion with the President, I assured him we have absolutely
\nno intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Indonesia.
\nYou have to settle the issue by yourself. But if you need our
\nsupport, of course, we will be willing to give it, but only at
\nyour request, because we have the experience, and we have worked
\nin Papua, so we know the situation. So if Indonesia says, \"Can
\nyou come to help us?\" Of course. Otherwise, it's your baby.<\/p>\n
Instead of giving compensation for past damage, you promised
\nto increase development assistance to Indonesia. How would you
\nmeet such a promise?<\/p>\n
In the past, we had contributed enormously to Indonesia, which
\nwas one of the main recipients of our development assistance. We
\ncontinue to support Indonesia. But we need good projects, and
\ngood projects need to be discussed by the two governments. Let
\nsee what we can do there.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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