Message from Ambassador of France
Message from Ambassador of France
On July 14 -- French National Day --, a crucial moment in our
history which has become today a universal heritage, I am very
happy to convey a message of friendship to Indonesia and to the
Indonesian people on behalf of France and the French people.
This occasion is even more pleasant as the bilateral relations
between Indonesia and France have continuously strengthened in
the previous 12 months. Following the meeting between President
Soeharto and the President of the French Republic last year, the
intensity of our political exchanges have gradually reached the
level required by our will to work together. Indonesia, one of
the pillar countries of Southeast Asia, is a privileged partner
within the framework of relations between Europe and Asia.
In recent months, there have been many high-level political
and military exchanges. French ministers have visited Jakarta,
and we have had the pleasure of welcoming eminent Indonesian
cabinet ministers to France. Most recently, on the occasion of
the Salon du Bourget (the Paris Air Show) several ministers
leading an important Indonesian delegation had the opportunity to
meet their newly appointed French counterparts, and could
establish warm and constructive ties.
At the start of 1997, 3,000 former French government sponsored
Indonesian students formed an alumni association, the Ikatan
Alumni Perancis di Indonesia. Gathering under their chairman,
Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto, this association
provides a venue for colleagues to nurture and sustain long
friendships. The community should be the active core of an entity
which will promote interplay with all Indonesians interested in
our country. The alumni have already received recognition from
the highest authorities for their original and effective
contributions to the Indonesian Development Plan.
In April 1998, a prestigious fair presenting the latest French
technology will take place in Jakarta. It will showcase the know-
how of the French high-technology industry which has already
often cooperated with its Indonesian counterparts. This
initiative demonstrates France's keen interest in the great
economic and human potential of Indonesia.
The strong increase in our bilateral trade justifies such an
initiative. French exports to Indonesia recorded a 26 percent
increase in 1996. This result is due mainly to equipment
deliveries, especially machinery, electrical, electronic and
telecommunications equipment. On our side, French imports from
Indonesia reached a record of 5.1 billion French francs
(approximately US$1 billion). Indonesian sales are focusing in
textile and garments, furniture, plywood or electronic
appliances. The establishment of French companies is continuing
at a rapid pace: there are today over 180 French firms operating
in Indonesia. Many small and medium sized companies are now
becoming aware of the numerous opportunities in the Indonesian
marketplace. French investments which are already significant in
the fields of energy, banking or chemistry, thus should reach
quickly the level they have achieved in several other countries
of the southern hemisphere which bear the same characteristics of
dynamism and vitality.
Cultural cooperation with Indonesia during the past year has
produced a myriad assortment of cultural events. The arts have
been honored by a series of spectacular events organized by the
French Cultural Centers in Indonesia. Several visiting French
artists have even decided to produce their artistic creations in
association with Indonesians, translating the very idea of
dialog. The group, Temps Fort Theatre, has created the play
L'Epopee de Gilgamesh with comedians from Surabaya, and is now
touring Europe. In a few weeks, choreographer Olivier Patey will
be performing a ballet with a cast of young dancers from Jakarta.
The first French Film Festival, which took place in Jakarta last
year, attracted a wide Indonesian audience. This initial success
will be followed in December 1997 by another film festival on a
grander scale. Bound to a multipolar world which is eager to keep
its own wealth and diversity by allowing the expression of
different cultures, France supports the initiative of Indonesia
in the development of its own film production and industry.
Therefore, we have offered to support the production of an
Indonesian movie extracted from the work of Putu Wijaya,
Telegram.
Scientific cooperation has continued in the various fields of
vulcanology and geophysics. Business management and software
engineering education programs are ongoing at the University of
Indonesia and the Institute of Technology in Bandung.
The quality of our accomplishments, the fullness of our common
perspectives, moves me to express a determined optimism. However,
we should go on further. We are now only reaching the level of
quality due to our long and trusting relationship, the confidence
we have built among ourselves and the stature and influence of
our two countries in today's world. Raising the bar higher each
year enables our cooperation to achieve greater mutual benefits
for our two nations. I do it passionately for Indonesia inspires
us.
Last but not least, I wish to express my sincere and special
thanks to the editors of The Jakarta Post for the excellent
cooperation between their newspaper and the Embassy of France.
On July 14 -- French National Day --, a crucial moment in our
history which has become today a universal heritage, I am very
happy to convey a message of friendship to Indonesia and to the
Indonesian people on behalf of France and the French people.
This occasion is even more pleasant as the bilateral relations
between Indonesia and France have continuously strengthened in
the previous 12 months. Following the meeting between President
Soeharto and the President of the French Republic last year, the
intensity of our political exchanges have gradually reached the
level required by our will to work together. Indonesia, one of
the pillar countries of Southeast Asia, is a privileged partner
within the framework of relations between Europe and Asia.
In recent months, there have been many high-level political
and military exchanges. French ministers have visited Jakarta,
and we have had the pleasure of welcoming eminent Indonesian
cabinet ministers to France. Most recently, on the occasion of
the Salon du Bourget (the Paris Air Show) several ministers
leading an important Indonesian delegation had the opportunity to
meet their newly appointed French counterparts, and could
establish warm and constructive ties.
At the start of 1997, 3,000 former French government sponsored
Indonesian students formed an alumni association, the Ikatan
Alumni Perancis di Indonesia. Gathering under their chairman,
Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto, this association
provides a venue for colleagues to nurture and sustain long
friendships. The community should be the active core of an entity
which will promote interplay with all Indonesians interested in
our country. The alumni have already received recognition from
the highest authorities for their original and effective
contributions to the Indonesian Development Plan.
In April 1998, a prestigious fair presenting the latest French
technology will take place in Jakarta. It will showcase the know-
how of the French high-technology industry which has already
often cooperated with its Indonesian counterparts. This
initiative demonstrates France's keen interest in the great
economic and human potential of Indonesia.
The strong increase in our bilateral trade justifies such an
initiative. French exports to Indonesia recorded a 26 percent
increase in 1996. This result is due mainly to equipment
deliveries, especially machinery, electrical, electronic and
telecommunications equipment. On our side, French imports from
Indonesia reached a record of 5.1 billion French francs
(approximately US$1 billion). Indonesian sales are focusing in
textile and garments, furniture, plywood or electronic
appliances. The establishment of French companies is continuing
at a rapid pace: there are today over 180 French firms operating
in Indonesia. Many small and medium sized companies are now
becoming aware of the numerous opportunities in the Indonesian
marketplace. French investments which are already significant in
the fields of energy, banking or chemistry, thus should reach
quickly the level they have achieved in several other countries
of the southern hemisphere which bear the same characteristics of
dynamism and vitality.
Cultural cooperation with Indonesia during the past year has
produced a myriad assortment of cultural events. The arts have
been honored by a series of spectacular events organized by the
French Cultural Centers in Indonesia. Several visiting French
artists have even decided to produce their artistic creations in
association with Indonesians, translating the very idea of
dialog. The group, Temps Fort Theatre, has created the play
L'Epopee de Gilgamesh with comedians from Surabaya, and is now
touring Europe. In a few weeks, choreographer Olivier Patey will
be performing a ballet with a cast of young dancers from Jakarta.
The first French Film Festival, which took place in Jakarta last
year, attracted a wide Indonesian audience. This initial success
will be followed in December 1997 by another film festival on a
grander scale. Bound to a multipolar world which is eager to keep
its own wealth and diversity by allowing the expression of
different cultures, France supports the initiative of Indonesia
in the development of its own film production and industry.
Therefore, we have offered to support the production of an
Indonesian movie extracted from the work of Putu Wijaya,
Telegram.
Scientific cooperation has continued in the various fields of
vulcanology and geophysics. Business management and software
engineering education programs are ongoing at the University of
Indonesia and the Institute of Technology in Bandung.
The quality of our accomplishments, the fullness of our common
perspectives, moves me to express a determined optimism. However,
we should go on further. We are now only reaching the level of
quality due to our long and trusting relationship, the confidence
we have built among ourselves and the stature and influence of
our two countries in today's world. Raising the bar higher each
year enables our cooperation to achieve greater mutual benefits
for our two nations. I do it passionately for Indonesia inspires
us.
Last but not least, I wish to express my sincere and special
thanks to the editors of The Jakarta Post for the excellent
cooperation between their newspaper and the Embassy of France.