RI and the Netherlands:

RI and the Netherlands: From old friendship to modern partnership

Bernard Bot

Yesterday The Hague, today Jakarta, tomorrow Rome. Anyone who passes through five time zones twice within 48 hours and covers a total of 28,000 kilometers must have a good reason for doing so.

And so I do. Today I am in Jakarta on behalf of the European Union to congratulate the new president of Indonesia on his historic election victory.

The European delegation will be offering President Yudhoyono and his government the opportunity to continue and intensify the close relationship between Indonesia and the European Union.

This needs to be seen in the context of our joint quest for peace, justice and prosperity. According to President Yudhoyono, these are the three pillars of Indonesia's future development. But they are also the three pillars for the future development of the European Union and, indeed, of the world community as a whole.

Why, then, I don't not stay longer in this beautiful country? Because the European Union, too, has reached a defining moment in its existence. Tomorrow, on the Oct. 29, an important treaty will be signed in the ancient city of Rome - recalling the historic treaty signed there just under fifty years ago. It is a constitutional treaty that will make the EU more effective, more transparent and more democratic.

It also provides, for example, for the creation of a European foreign minister and a European diplomatic service, whose staff will be recruited partly directly and partly from the member states. In short, while celebrating the diversity of the EU, tomorrow we will further strengthen its unity.

There are many links between Indonesia and the European Union. I see my own country, the Netherlands, as one of them. The histories of our two countries are inseparably connected. And so is my personal history: I have many memories of my youth in Jakarta, where I was born. But Indonesia and the Netherlands have much more in common than history, language, art, song and dance, and food. Our countries can also mean a lot to each other, politically and economically.

Since July of this year, while the Netherlands holds the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, the Union has been looking at Indonesia with special interest. Not only at political developments, but also at the broader social and cultural background. Even after the Dutch Presidency has ended, the Netherlands will continue to ensure that the EU fosters its relationship with Indonesia. This is all the more important because Indonesia can play a crucial role in Asia.

We see Indonesia as a prime mover in promoting regional cooperation in Asia. This was once again underlined last month when Indonesia was a driving force behind the success of the ASEM summit between the EU and Asian countries.

Both Indonesia and the European Union are also working hard to further strengthen democracy and the rule of law - two inseparable ideals. In June, the EU held elections to the European Parliament. For the first time in the Union's existence, people in twenty-five countries went to the polls. Indonesia's general elections in April and July, and the presidential elections in September were all held in accordance with the best democratic traditions.

Today, President Yudhoyono will present his plans for Indonesia. We already know his general intentions from his election platform: further economic reform, strengthening the rule of law, and the fight against corruption, collusion and nepotism or KKN are just some of the policy areas on which the Netherlands and the EU would like to work with the Indonesian government.

With more Muslims than any other country in the world, and as a country that harbors and cherishes long Christian, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Indonesia can speak with authority in the global dialogue between civilizations. A dialogue that is also relevant within the multicultural European Union.

The Netherlands, itself home to almost a million Muslims, already offers scholarships to Indonesian students of Islam and would be interested in further developing bilateral initiatives to give a voice to moderate forces and to help build international bridges.

A multicultural Indonesia and a multicultural Europe striving for greater unity are both destined to celebrate diversity, within and outside of their own borders. All of us who wish to work for peace, justice and security are concerned by violent attempts to undermine the multicultural societies in Maluku, Ambon and Sulawesi. I hope that the new Indonesian government will address the causes of conflict there and offer support to those who believe in living together rather than in hate and division.

The European Union also believes there is no contradiction between support for Indonesia's unity and full implementation for the Special Autonomy Law for Papua, which includes installing the Papua People's Council. The law was adopted by the Indonesian government in 2002 - so the principle has already been accepted.

Promoting tolerance is particularly important at a time when both Europe and Indonesia are confronted with terrorism. Innocent people have fallen victim to terror in New York, Casablanca, Madrid, Bali and Jakarta. A worldwide partnership between democratic societies is the answer. During our visit today and tomorrow, we will hold further talks on how Europe and Indonesia can work together in the campaign against terrorism.

Indonesia can play an important role in further opening up Asia for trade with Europe. Conversely, the Netherlands, as an experienced trading nation, offers Indonesia good access to a huge European market, with a single currency. The European Union represents 455 million people and a total annual GDP of 10 trillion euros, equivalent to Rp 115,000 trillion. The EU was already Indonesia's main trading partner and also its biggest investor.

With ten new member states, trade will only increase in the coming years and the Union will become more attractive for Indonesian entrepreneurs.

To further develop Indonesia's human and economic potential, investments in know-how and innovation are essential. This inevitably requires investment in education. In recent years, the Indonesian government has therefore worked hard to improve the quality of education. One of its targets is nine years of compulsory primary education for everybody by 2008.

Indonesia's aims and ambitions in this area are impressive and we are happy to support them. The Netherlands has been Indonesia's closest partner in raising education standards for some years now, and will continue to play an active supporting role if Indonesia so wishes.

The Netherlands and Indonesia are linked by history, culture, economics and politics. Let us use these deeply rooted bilateral ties to turn our old friendship into a modern partnership. A partnership that can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century and help to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Asia. Europe and Asia are vital partners in the global search for peace, justice and security. -- The writer is the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Netherlands and the President of the EU's Council of Ministers.