Strengthening RI-Dutch ties<\/p>\n
Retno L.P. Marsudi, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Only last week, the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands
\nvisited Indonesia. This weekend, the Minister of Economic Affairs
\nof the Netherlands will also visit Indonesia. How do all these
\nvisits signify efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between
\nIndonesia and the Netherlands?<\/p>\n
Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot, who was born in Batavia, has
\nvisited Indonesia three times in the last seven months. His
\npersonal attachment to Indonesia contributes to better relations
\nbetween two countries, including addressing sensitive issues that
\nalways emerge in the bilateral relation due to the historical
\nties between two countries. But more importantly, the two
\ncountries should be able to build a firm foundation to strengthen
\nbilateral relations. The inevitable historical ties between the
\ntwo should be utilized as an asset rather than a liability for
\ntheir relations. The ability of the two countries to bring more
\n"meat" in their relations, based on understanding and mutual
\nrespect, is the key word to make relations stronger.<\/p>\n
In the last couple of years, the two countries has developed
\ngood relations, among others, through the signing of the MOU on
\nIntensifying Relations which covers efforts to improve
\ncooperation on certain issues of mutual interest. The regular
\nmechanism of dialog becomes a very important element in the
\nbilateral relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands taking
\ninto consideration the historical background of the two.<\/p>\n
Through regular dialog, the two countries can prevent the use
\nof "megaphone diplomacy" - which always creates a
\ncounterproductive situation rather than produce positive results
\n-- and at the same time results in better networking between the
\ntwo capitals.<\/p>\n
The fact that officials from the countries can easily convey
\nimportant and sensitive messages through phone conversations and
\neven SMS (short message service), to some extent, shows the
\ncloseness and maturity of the relations. This mechanism has been
\nproven capable of containing unnecessary reaction on politically
\nsensitive issues that always emerge between the two.<\/p>\n
This week, the Economic Minister of the Netherlands will also
\nvisit Indonesia. The prime aim of the visit is to attend the 18th
\nMeeting of the Mixed Commission on Economic Cooperation (MCEC)
\nbetween Indonesia and the Netherlands held Feb. 13-15, 2005. The
\nMCEC was formed in 1968 and aimed at boosting bilateral economic
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
Thus far six working groups has been set up under the MCEC,
\nnamely the working group on trade and investment, agriculture,
\nenergy, transportation and communication, research and
\ntechnology; and public works, housing and spatial planning.<\/p>\n
In addition to the regular meeting, the MCEC will also
\norganize a special session on bilateral cooperation to
\nrehabilitate and reconstruct Aceh on Feb. 14.<\/p>\n
Moreover, during the visit, Minister Brinkhorst and Minister
\nBakrie will also sign an MOU on the program for cooperation with
\nemerging markets.<\/p>\n
It is very interesting to observe how bilateral economic
\ncooperation can work with members of the European Union while
\nmost of their economic related policies have already been
\nsubmitted to the European Commission. This submission of economic
\npower is usually used by member countries of the European Union
\nto show reluctance, prevent or even terminate the economic
\nbilateral cooperation with third countries. Much room remains
\navailable to strengthen economic cooperation via the bilateral
\nchannel.<\/p>\n
The cooperation on capacity building to meet the regulations
\nand standard of the European Commission is one of the examples on
\nhow bilateral economic cooperation remains important for the two
\ncountries. In other words, the European Commission only provides
\nregulations and monitors its implementation while the
\nimplementation itself remains in the hands of individual member
\ncountries and therefore the door for bilateral economic
\ncooperation remains opened.<\/p>\n
The results of the MCEC and most importantly its concrete
\nimplementation will mark another success of bilateral relations
\nbetween Indonesia and the Netherlands. If the two countries can
\nmaintain an excellent political dialog as it has now and use it
\nas a basis to improve economic cooperation, in future we will
\nonly witness long lasting good cooperation between Indonesia and
\nthe Netherlands.<\/p>\n
The writer is a senior diplomat. The article represents her
\npersonal views.<\/p>",
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