Sachsen RI's gateway to East Europe<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto in Dresden yesterday
\nemphasized the importance of the German state of Sachsen (Saxony)
\nas a portal that will allow Indonesia to forge ties with Eastern
\nEurope.<\/p>\n
\"Sachsen has a special relevance to our relationship with
\nGermany and the eastern part of Europe,\" Soeharto said during a
\nreception hosted by Sachsen's Minister President Biedenkopf and
\nhis wife Ingrid.<\/p>\n
He added that \"apart from the large economic potential that
\ncan be developed in a mutually profitable cooperation, Sachsen is
\nalso the primary gateway to establishing ties with the countries
\nin Eastern Europe.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto's trip through Germany was highlighted last Sunday by
\nthe opening of the 1995 Hannover Fair at which Indonesia was
\nchosen to be this year's \"country partner\".<\/p>\n
On the last leg of his six-day visit, Soeharto yesterday
\nexpressed admiration at the beauty of the state capital of
\nDresden and praised the congruous developments Sachsen has made
\nin balancing industry and natural art.<\/p>\n
Located in the eastern half of Germany, the state of Sachsen
\nhas a population of about five-million and borders Poland and the
\nCzech republic.<\/p>\n
Dubbed \"Florence on the Elbe\", Dresden has long been known as
\none of Germany's cultural centers.<\/p>\n
The president remarked that such a harmonious development
\ncould become an inspiration to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"All this inspires us who are endeavoring to build a modern
\nsociety while still holding firm to our own traditional values,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
For such a reason the president believed that industry and
\nculture could become a solid foundation between Indonesia and
\nGermany, especially in Sachsen.<\/p>\n
After four packed days in Germany, Soeharto's itinerary
\nyesterday slowed up with a brief tour of the Zwinger museum in
\nthe morning and a reception in the evening.<\/p>\n
During a meeting with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on
\nTuesday, the two heads of government both stated their common
\nconcern with the continuing ascent of the Japanese yen vis a vis
\nthe United States dollar, a phenomenon known as Yendaka.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is being hit hard by yendaka given that over 40
\npercent of its foreign debts are in yen. Germany too is feeling
\nthe effects, as the value of its currency slides against the
\ndollar.<\/p>\n
Apart from the current international monetary situation, the
\ntwo leaders also briefed each other on the latest developments in
\nthe former Yugoslav republic.<\/p>\n
According to Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, the German
\nChancellor fully supports Soeharto's initiative in seeking a
\ncomprehensive solution to the civil war.<\/p>\n
Soeharto launched his peace initiative for the former
\nYugoslavia during his visit to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.<\/p>\n
This morning the president and an entourage which includes
\nMoerdiono, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and the Chief
\nExecutive Assistant of the Non-Aligned Movement Nana Sutresna
\nwill depart Germany for a three-day visit to Kazakhstan. (mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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