Minister Bot's visit
Minister Bot's visit
The visit to Jakarta by a foreign minister from a country with
which Indonesia maintains relations is, of course, not an unusual
event. However, there are many reasons why the visit of the
Netherlands' foreign minister, Bernard Bot, could be of unusual
significance -- not only for bilateral relations between the
Netherlands and Indonesia, but also for broadening the network of
cooperative activities between the European Union and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The fact that minister Bot was born in Batavia, now Jakarta,
shows that his life has been closely related to the
decolonization process in Indonesia. Since he bore the
responsibility as foreign minister, replacing his predecessor who
was appointed secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), minister Bot has been keen to develop his
country's relations with Indonesia on a broader basis. The fact
that the Netherlands has assumed the presidency of the EU opens
the chance for Indonesia to take advantage of its relations with
the Netherlands, as a beachhead of opportunities in Europe.
If nothing else, in this fast-changing world, in which the
superior position of the United States will dominate world
affairs for years to come, it is in Indonesia's interests to
develop its relations with the European Union on a more solid
basis.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by foreign
minister Hassan Wirajuda and his Dutch counterpart on Thursday
provides a broad basis for enhancing cooperation in economic,
trade and financial relations; cultural, social and educational
affairs and legal cooperation -- which includes programs and
activities regarding the development of Indonesia's legal system.
Of course, foreign ministers can sign MOUs as a symbolic, yet
ultimately meaningless exercise. Unless both The Hague and
Jakarta follow through to implement the accord they signed last
week, therefore, the document will not carry much meaning.
One interesting thing occurred during a meeting held at the
Center for Strategic and International Studies between minister
Bot and local community figures: The minister emphasized that the
EU is not only a union based on common economic interests, but
one bound by common values. If, therefore, the EU constantly
raises the issue of Myanmar, this is not because it has become a
"pet subject", rather, it is due to the very principle on which
the EU was based: the implementation of democratic principles and
respect for human rights.
Except for the concrete results that could be expected from
enhanced bilateral relations with the Netherlands through
continual dialog between Jakarta and The Hague, we, in Indonesia,
could gain from a more complete picture of the role and the
motives pursued by the European countries on the world stage. In
that sense, the short visit of the Netherlands' Minister of
Foreign Affairs Bernard Bot, offers potential, which could
benefit Indonesia.