RI, Guinea-Bissau open diplomatic ties

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas and his counterpart from Guinea-Bissau, Fernando Delfin da Silva, signed a joint communique yesterday establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The ceremony was held on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC) of which both countries are members.

Alatas said the establishment of formal diplomatic relations "launched a new era during which the peoples of the two-countries rediscover the path towards cooperation with each other".

The former Portuguese colony is located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa and has a population of 1.1 million. It gained independence in 1974.

"Although Guinea-Bissau and Indonesia are both developing countries, I believe there is much we can do together," said Alatas.

Da Silva said, in his return address after the signing, both countries shared common foundations in their pursuit of statehood and international relations.

He described the newly established ties as a "promising new phase" between Indonesia and Guinea-Bissau. (mds)