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.