Soeharto unveils RI's plan to appoint consul in Zagreb
Soeharto unveils RI's plan to appoint consul in Zagreb
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told visiting Croatian Prime
Minister Zlatko Matesa yesterday that Indonesia is considering
appointing an honorary consul in Zagreb.
Indonesia, which recognized Croatian independence on May 16,
1992, does not have an official representative office in its
capital of Zagreb. Representation is accredited to the Indonesian
Embassy in Hungary.
Croatia formally opened its embassy here in March; Zeljko
Kirincic is its first ambassador.
"We are now considering appointing an honorary consul to
Zagreb quickly," Soeharto said in an address at the state banquet
held for Matesa at the State Palace. The President did not
elaborate who the nominees would be.
Soeharto also expressed hope that the private business sectors
of Indonesia and Croatia would take concrete steps to realize the
economic agreements the two governments will sign this morning.
"We hope the private sector will play an active role in
forging trade ties promoting the two countries' export
activities," the President was quoted by Antara as saying.
Soeharto said Croatia and Indonesia have strong potentials in
both natural and human resources which can be exploited to the
maximum to strengthen relations.
The President also noted the two countries were trying to
formulate several other bilateral agreements on trade, investment
and double taxation avoidance.
Matesa arrived here yesterday for a state visit which will
conclude on March 2. His visit is not only aimed at boosting the
two countries' economic ties but also at strengthening overall
relations.
Matesa is accompanied by Minister of Economic Affairs Davor
Stern, Minister of Tourism Niko Bulic and Minister of Sea
Transportation Zeljko Lvzavec.
This morning, Matesa will conduct official talks with
Soeharto. Following their 90-minute parley, the two leaders will
witness the signing of an agreement on economic and technical
cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement will be signed by Stern and Indonesian Minister
of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.
During the state banquet, Soeharto also hailed the peace
agreement signed in Dayton, USA, by the Balkan states.
"We believe the Dayton agreement, which was also signed by
Croatia, has helped create peace and stability in the Balkan
region," said Soeharto who visited Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina
in 1995.
Croatia and Bosnia are former members of Yugoslavia.
Earlier yesterday, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono pointed
out that Croatia could serve as a gateway for Indonesian products
into Eastern Europe. (mds)