Australia will pursue closer relations with RI
Australia will pursue closer relations with RI
BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Senior envoys from Indonesia and Australia expect little change in the relationship between the two countries despite the advent of a new government in Canberra.
"Of course there will be some change but it won't be as dramatic as some people worry about," said Indonesia's former ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian.
Speaking here on Saturday during a seminar on The Development of Foreign Relations Between Indonesia and Australia, Sabam, who ended his tenure as ambassador last year, said that being its closest neighbor, Indonesia weighs heavily in the balance of Australia's geopolitical map.
"For them it is quite clear, if Indonesia fails or there is instability then this geopolitical environment will be trying," he said.
He remarked that for Australia, Indonesia's economic and political potential can no longer be doubted.
While relations between the two countries have generally been good, it was only after the advent of Prime Minister Paul Keating that ties between Jakarta and Canberra began to get stronger.
However, with the defeat of Keating and the ascendancy of the Liberal party under John Howard earlier this month, some have questioned if the new administration will maintain the same commitment and passion for Indonesia.
According to Sabam, Howard also realizes, like Keating, that the key to Australia's future in the post-Cold War era lies in close cooperation with its Southeast Asian neighbors.
Relations
Similarly, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Alan Taylor, said in Bandung on Friday that Howard will likely pursue the close relations with Indonesia established under Keating.
Taylor was in Bandung to attend the launching of a joint stamp issuing between Indonesia and Australia.
Sabam underlined that Jakarta is an important friend for Canberra because Indonesia is playing a greater role in both regional and world affairs.
While underlining the importance that Australia attaches to its relationship with Indonesia, Sabam pointed to the various moves that Indonesia has to make in order to improve the people's welfare.
He remarked that Indonesia has to maintain its territorial integrity and ensure peace and stability in a country that is so vast and heterogeneous.
He then pointed to the importance of a more equitable division of economic benefits among the people.
According to Sabam, Indonesia must also perfect the ethical aspect of its political culture. "This includes advancing the implementation of human rights and democratization," he remarked.
It is in this context, he said, that the two sides must combine their mutual interests.
He added that many agreements were signed with Indonesia during Keating's administration, but that it was now up to Howard to implement them. (17/mds)