Departing EU envoy says democracy in RI irreversible

Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Indonesia Ambassador Sabato Della Monica has been posted here since July 2000. He is preparing to return to Brussels, where the European Union (EU) is headquartered, as soon as his term in Jakarta ends. Della Monica shared his experiences and achievements in Indonesia with The Jakarta Post's Veeramalla Anjaiah recently. Following are excerpts from the interview:

Question: What were the salient features in the relations between the EU and Indonesia during your term?

Answer: The EU and Indonesia have a special affinity and understanding for each other -- "unity in diversity" is the watchword here.

We are fully behind Indonesia's efforts to defend its national and territorial integrity.

Trade and investment relations between Indonesia and the EU are very important, but do not figure very large in public discussions; but if you take the European investment here since the 1990s, it is the largest foreign investment from abroad.

EU markets remain the most open to Indonesian exporters and the second most important after Japan.

The EU has demonstrated a deep interest in its investment and trading relations with Indonesia, but we are not eager to rush off into bilateral free trade agreements to hunt for short-term benefits at the cost of the larger common benefit.

In our economic development and economic cooperation, we operate a finely tuned set of instruments aimed at translating the process of reformasi into real improvements for the population, especially for the poor, the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources, including Indonesia's unique forests and treasure of biodiversity, remains high on the agenda.

So do health and education, areas where the impact on the poor is critical.

Improvements in the justice system are at the core of our efforts to help Indonesia upgrade its system of governance for the benefit of the population across the board.

During your four-and-a-half years in Jakarta, you have observed the terms of three Indonesian presidents. How do you view the prospects for Indonesian democracy?

The systematic transition from one-man rule to democratic accountability, as Indonesia has achieved with the election of 2004, ranks -- in my view -- as one of the most significant events of the post-Cold War era.

As you say, I experienced three presidents: Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid), Megawati Soekarnoputri and now Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. I took up my post in July 2000; had I come just nine months earlier, it would have been four presidents, including B.J. Habibie.

Indonesia has made a remarkable journey from a strongman's rule that made shrewd use of patterns of patronage deeply rooted in history.

In 1988, this system collapsed -- swifter than many thought was possible -- and gave way to a system of imperfect democratic accountability with the 1999 elections. Imperfect, because it was the party leaders in the MPR (People's Consultative Assembly) that elected or, for that matter, impeached the President, not the electorate.

The elections of 2004 have ushered in a system of much improved democratic accountability; for the first time, voters could vote for the parliamentary candidate of their preference, and directly elect their president.

Next year, Indonesians will -- also for the first time -- directly elect the provincial governors and Bupatis (regents).

These are ground-breaking achievements: The Indonesian electorate has demonstrated its maturity.

Democracy is now irreversible. I am convinced that the democratic process in Indonesia has taken firm root, and is here to stay. As you know, Indonesia badly needs foreign investment. What steps should it take to attract foreign investment, especially from the EU?

The new government's declared key objective is the improvement of the livelihood of the majority of Indonesians. This calls for higher sustained and equitable growth of the real sector of the economy and the reduction of unemployment. It cannot be done without the resumption of domestic and foreign investment, which, at current rates, is far too low.

Investors need to feel confident about the future, require predictability in the application of rules and regulations, and a legal system that adjudicates fairly.

Volumes have been written about the nexus of confidence and the investment climate. Once lost, it is very difficult to reconstruct.

This government sends the right messages, realizes that investment in Indonesia's dilapidated physical infrastructure is as critical as is investment in its neglected social infrastructure, like health and education.

Investors are not awaiting the perfect world, but credible signal and policies, even in small steps that will change the reality on the ground for the investor for the better.

The President has taken an important decision in calling for an Infrastructure Summit next month. I trust that representatives from major European companies will be invited -- European companies have a good track record in infrastructure -- particularly those here in Indonesia.

Could you tell us about your experiences in Indonesia, both positive and negative?

I have been privileged to travel to many areas in Indonesia, large cities and villages. I have felt the enthusiasm of people at all levels -- but notably at the grassroots level -- to make use of the small resources to improve the lives of their families and communities, in so many projects that we have supported across this vast archipelago.

I have been privileged to make many good friends from all walks of life. I have seen some of them go from strength to strength, like Sri Mulyani Indrawati (State Minister of National Development Planning) and Munir. Both participated in our visitors' program in the service of their country, setting strong role models, especially for the younger generation.

So, since you also ask me, less positive experiences.

Munir's death came as a brutal shock; like a cold wind from a bygone era. No stone must be left unturned until the perpetrators have been brought to justice.

I also recall my visits to areas where displaced people from the conflicts of 2000 lived in limbo, some for years. We are glad that we were able to assist in resettling some of them.

I am also saddened that our efforts to assist the peace process in Aceh during the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the so-called COHA from December 2002 to May 2003, did not bear fruit.

Deep in my heart, I hope that this effort was not in vain, and that the short few months that the Acehnese were able to taste peace will not be the proverbial flash in the pan, but instead inspire the realization that peace cannot be secured by weapons.

Believe me, that is also the quintessential lesson that five decades of European integration have taught us.