RI, Guinea-Bissau open diplomatic ties

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)