Sweden - Indonesia

Sweden - Indonesia

Sweden and Indonesia have long-standing, good and close relations, dating far back in time -- before Indonesia's independence.

Diplomatic relations were established in 1950, Sweden being one of the first countries to recognize the newly independent Republic of Indonesia in late 1949. We have cooperated at the UN, on North-South issues, we have had academic and cultural exchanges, we have seen an upsurge in travel and tourism and, last but not least, the backbone of our relations over the years has been a very healthy trade and investment relationship.

Over time our relations with Indonesia have evolved taking on new dimensions. When Sweden joined the European Union in the middle of the 1990s, it had profound consequences for Sweden, not least for Sweden's foreign policy. We joined a community of nations that today comprises almost 460 million people and with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that surpasses even that of the United States. The European Union has also become the single largest trading block in the world. Thus our bilateral ties with Indonesia, now also includes a broader EU dimension.

Whilst sharing the basic values of the European Union binding our member countries together, Sweden, just like other members of the Union, will continue to treasure its national character and safeguard what we believe are unique features of our society and our country as a whole. For us that also means being proud of doing things the "Swedish way".

Indonesia for its part has experienced even more profound changes in recent years. Some countries will at some point in their history go through political upheaval affecting the fabric of their society, whilst others may experience an economic crises of one sort or the other.

Few nations however, experience both crises simultaneously like Indonesia did after 1997/98. Against this background Indonesia's recovery and ongoing transformation in the recent past has been extraordinary. The legislative and presidential elections last year were truly remarkable achievements that Indonesia is rightly proud of. Its economic recovery during the last few years has been impressive. At present the economy is growing at well over 5 percent. Under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono a domestic agenda is evolving raising the hope of further political, economic and social reforms.

Indonesia with its active and independent foreign policy, is also making its voice more clearly heard internationally, engaging further with its neighbors, with the major powers as well as with emerging powers in different regions of the world. But more important perhaps, is that a renewed sense of hope and expectation is in the air in today's Indonesia.

In Sweden there is clearly a growing interest for further engagement with Indonesia, be it closer political ties, further trade and investment relations, enhanced development cooperation or expanding academic and cultural exchanges.

Last year's elections helped focus international attention, including that of Sweden, toward Indonesia. When Indonesia and other countries around the Indian Ocean were hit by the tsunami in December of last year, there was an unprecedented feeling of sympathy for the victims and a strong determination to assist as best as we could. In more than one way it brought our peoples closer together.

Looking toward the future we must set our goals high for our relations with Indonesia, including having full diplomatic representation in our respective countries. From time to time we may see things differently, as is only natural in the exchange of views between democracies as long as we show mutual respect and a genuine willingness to see each others point of view.

When President Susilo in January this year called upon certain countries, including Sweden, to use their good offices in what was then to become the Helsinki talks for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Aceh, we did so without hesitation as has also been the case in subsequent requests. From our perspective this is one way of showing our friendship with Indonesia, giving our support where it might be needed. We will continue to treasure our relationship with Indonesia hoping to deepen out ties still further in the near future.