I N D O N E S I A N N E W S - D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1 , V O L . X I V/1 2

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E M B A S S Y O F T H E R E P U B L I C O F I N D O N E S I AB E L G R A D E - S E R B I A

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Merry Christmas&

Happy New Year 2012Sincere wishes from all staff of the

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesiain Belgrad e - Serbia

Ambassador’s Note December 2011

EDITORIAL BOARD

SUPERVISORH.E. Semuel Samson

EDITOR IN CHIEFAriana Yulianti

BOARD OF EDITORSZamardiEko HimawanCol. Agoes JoesniIndah MekawatiYudi Tetra Mulya

RESEARCHERS Eni DiponegoroFriedo Hubert

LOGISTIC & DISTRIBUTIONPrima SetianiDono Legowo

Published by:Social & Culture SectionEmbassy of the Republic of IndonesiaBulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevića 1811040 Belgrade - SerbiaPh. 3674062, 3635666Fax. 3672984, 3574239kbri.beograd@eunet.rswww.kemlu.go.id/belgrade

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Focus

Embassy

President: Indonesia must actively help solve global problemsRI successfully organized two international events in 2011RI demonstrates stronger commitment to nuke-free worldUN appreciates RI`s contributions to int`l peace-keeping missionsRI expected to reach investment grade next yearRI leading in creative economyBandung to hosted “Road to Indonesia Coffee Festival”President attends national Christmas day event

RI applauded for ratifying nuclear test ban treatyPast year marked by intense RI-UNESCO engagement

Adorable jewels thoughout the ages

Lombok

Indonesian Friendship Park at elementary school “Dragan Lukić”Fastron expedition welcomed in BelgradeIndonesian Embassy participated in IWC Charity Bazaar

Interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesiato the Republic of Serbia

Travel

Business

Highlights

Distinguished readers,

As we bid farewell to year 2011 and embark on a new year 2012, as well as completing the first year of my mandate as the Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, we are pleased to present to you the first special edition of Embassy’s monthly bulletin “Equator” that beside the news about Indonesia during the month of December also contains the summary of the entire main activities and achievements of our Embassy during the year of 2011.The year 2011 has been a successful and significant year in many fields. Starting on January 2011, Indonesia has assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship that celebrated the 44th anniversary last August, and has committed to lead the regional grouping under the

theme “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations”, which has shown Indonesia’s determination to be engaged, proactive and use the ASEAN platform to enhance ASEAN’s profile in the global arena. In this frame of determination and commitment, Indonesia has successfully hosted the 19th ASEAN Summit last November. This year was also marked with jubilee of 50th anniversary of Non Aligned Movement and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Serbia. Throughout 2011, Indonesia accorded particular attention to enhancing its relations with other countries based of the principles of partnership, equality and mutual benefit. Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade has also been very committed and active, and successfully completed the year of 2011 with many important goals. The close and friendly relation between Indonesia and Serbia was again proven through the highest official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to Belgrade on the occasion of 50 years of NAM, and the visits of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia to Indonesia that in total has resulted six signed agreements and MoU on the economic, defense and education cooperation. The good foundation that was established in 2011 made us even more focused and dedicated to continue with big steps of ‘thousand miles’ in 2012. Our agenda remains active, focused and dedicated for better cooperation and achievements between Indonesia and Serbia. We are determined that in the year 2012, we will work even harder and become of greater service to our beloved country Indonesia.

Last, but not least, on this occasion, on behalf of all staff members of Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, and on my own behalf, allow me to extend our best wishes for a New Year 2012. Srecna Nova Godina !

Semuel Samson

Summary 2011

PHOTO ON THE COVER:

From religious beliefs to revelry indulgence, Lombok’s captivating culture attracts a traveler with all its spells and bounds. Bau Nyale Festival is the most celebrated ritual among the Lombok Festivals & Events that are held in its southern lying beaches. It calls for the unison of moon, wind and tide that brings along colorful sea worms known as Nyales or eels that serve both their fortune as well as their feast principles.

EQUATOR is a compilation of news taken from National News Agency (ANTARA) and other news sources from Indonesia. The contents does not reflect particular policy or position of the Embassy of the Republic Indonesia and its beholders. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia takes the privilege to sort out news material taken from the above mentioned sources and presented in accordance with the coverage of the materials (political & security, economy, social & culture and international relation issues).

4 Equator - December 2011

Highlights

President: Indonesia must actively help solve global problems

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said because of the complexity of today s global problems Indonesia must actively take part in efforts to solve them lest it lose out or become a victim of their impact.

Speaking at a gathering with farmers and representatives of farmer groups and stakeholders of national food resilience at the Presidential Palace on December 6, 2011, the President said if Indonesia only grum-bled and complained, it will not be able to do anything to deal with global problems that could affect life in the country.

“What has now become issues such as food and energy problems and drought in Africa and several other countries, plant diseases and other aspects of climate change have indeed disrupted the pattern of agriculture,” he said.

He said the current economic crisis in Europe and fear over rising world oil prices should become a warning to all elements of the nation to take anticipatory measures so that their impact would not disrupt the country s economy and national life. “Food will be a determining issue with regard to our future. We in Indonesia must do some-thing actively and concretely. It will be wrong and we will only lose if we do noth-ing and are passive under the present cir-cumstances. We must not only be alert but must also be active,” he said.

Besides the food issue, President Yud-hoyono also saw potential problems with regard to the threat of world crude price in-creases due to a number of problems. “The price of crude is now US$100 per barrel after peaking at US$145 per barrel in 2008. Now a global crisis is happening again triggered by the financial crisis in Europe but strangely the price of oil remains (at US$100),” he said.

He said a lot of factors affect the world crude price “such as speculation by global traders, geo-politics and increasing tension in Iran and North Africa which have all cre-

ated uncertainty in the world crude price.”He said producers certainly always wish

to profit as much as possible and so they like if the price is high. In the current era states often lose to multi-national corpora-tions and this is the weakness of the global capitalist system, he said.

Therefore, the President called on all parties especially policy makers in the food and energy sectors in the country to keep monitoring developments at global level so that they would not be wrong when taking a decision at national or local levels.

Earlier in the day, the President present-ed awards to local leaders and community members who contributed in an outstand-ing way to the national food resilience campaign launched by the government.

Sixteen people received food resil-ience awards, seven food resilience pio-neer awards and 25 food resilience creative technology user awards. Several provincial governors attended the event such as Sul-tan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta, Bibit Waluyo of Central Java along with a number of district heads from other re-gions. Cabinet ministers who attended the ceremony were Agriculture Minister Sus-wono, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto.

Minister Suswono said in his speech that the awards presentation had been done since 1979 and in 2001 the criteria had been expanded to cover not only productivity but also food resilience ser-vice, technology use and food resilience development.

Sixteen recipients in the food resilience

development category include Governor Bibit Waluyo, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Riau Governor HM Rusli Zainal and South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

Among district heads that recieved awards were Hasyim Afandi, the District Head of Temanggung, Central Java, Amri Tambunan, the District Head of Deli Ser-dang, North Sumatra, H.A Sutomo, the District Head of Sopeng, South Sulawesi, and Sumantri, the District Head of Mag-etan, East Java.

Village heads who recieved the awards were Budi Utomo from Kulon Progo, Yo-gyakarta, Mustika Sanggana from Tam-pumea, South Sulawesi, Amrizal from Kandang Baru, West Sumatra, Diding Wahyudin from Cipakem, Kuningan, West Java and Noto Siswanto from Karanggin-tung, Banyumas, Central Java.

Food resilience pioneer awards were handed to Julius Elseos Louhenapessy of Pattimura University, Nur Azizah of Depok, Dalikem of Triwidadi, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Ambarwati Hernawan of Tangerang, Banten, Agus Saptana Dharmawah of Bantaeng, South Sulawesi, Mustopa of Se-marang and Lumbung Pangan Bumi Asri Group from Ogan Komering Ulu.

Other recipients included 13 others in the category of food relience service and 20 others in the category of food resilience creative technology use. “They have all shown extraordinary achieve-ments. They will all receive Adi Karya Pangan Nusantara awards,” he said. The total number of award recipients was 61 individuals and a group.

“Food will be a determining issue with regard to our future. We in In-donesia must do something actively and concretely. It will be wrong and we will only lose if we do nothing and are passive under the present circum-stances. We must not only be alert but must also be active,” President said

Equator - December 2011 5

Highlights

RI successfully organized two international events in 2011

Jakarta - Indonesia successfully orga-nized two international events this year, namely the 26th South East Asia (SEA) Games and the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, President Susilo Bam-bang Yudhoyono said. “It`s not easy for a country to hold two international events simultaneously. It could be very risky that both could have failed. We should take a note, we successfully organized the two events,” Yudhoyono said on December 5, 2011, in a gathering with medal-winning athletes, members of the organizing committees of the 26th SEA Games and the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

The Head of State expressed his grat-itude to all parties contributing to the success of the two events. The county`s success was thanks to good coordina-tion and hard work, he said. “Failure is not an option,” he said, adding that one must not think of being failed. Other countries would have seen Indonesia as incapable if the implementation of the two events had failed.

Yudhoyono asked all parties to con-tinue working hard and learn from past

experiences because Indonesia would host an APEC Summit in 2013.

The President received reports re-spectively from Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Andi Malarangeng representing the organizing committee of the 26th SEA Games, and Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi representing the organizing committee of the 19th Summit and Re-lated Summits.

The 26th SEA Games was organized in Palembang (South Sumatra Province)

and Jakarta from November 11 to 22, 2011, and participated in by athletes from 11 countries.

Overall, the Indonesian contingent has achieved its target of grabbing at least 150 gold medals and secured first position as the overall champion for the first time since 1997.

The 19th ASEAN Summit, the Sixth East Asia Summit (EAS) and other related summits were organized in Nusa Dua, Bali, from November 13 to 19, 2011.

Yudhoyono proposes cooperation in five sectors with Germany

Jakarta - President Susilo Yud-hoyono has proposed cooperation in five fields with Germany, namely in-vestment and trade, health, education, defense and environmentally-friendly energy cooperation.

German investment in Indonesia currently totaled around 300 million US dollars, the Head of State said in a joint press conference with visiting German President Christian Wulff, at Merdeka Palace on December 1, 2011.

“However, the amount could be in-creased further,” Yudhoyono said. Yud-hoyono invited Germany to become a strategic partner for the projects of the Indonesian Economic Development Expansion and Acceleration Master-plan (MP3EI).

He also expressed his hope for the transfer of health technology from Germany. He also hoped that more

Indonesian young people could have opportunities to study technologies in Germany.

The President said Indonesia want-ed to have long-term cooperation in defense with Germany, especially concerning joint production and in-vestment. Wulff said that the bilateral cooperation between Germany and Indonesia would continue.

Germany was interested in estab-lishing cooperation with Indonesia in the sector of energy friendly to the environment, he said. “Indonesia is the lung of the world, and we very much hope that Indonesia manages its forest properly,” he said.

He said his country offered around 400 scholarships for Indonesians to study in Germany.

The state visit of Wulff marked the preparations for the commemoration

of the 60th anniversary of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Germany in 2012. For that occasion, Yudhoyono invited German Chancellor Angela Markel to visit Indonesia next year.

In the evening, Yudhoyono hostes a state banquet for his German counter-part at State Palace.

During his state visit from Novem-ber 30 to December 2, Wulff was also scheduled to attend a Business Forum with the German community in Indo-nesia, and give a public lecture at the University of Indonesia (UI).

He also met Chairman of the Peo-ple’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Taufik Kiemas and former President BJ Habibie, as well as several prominent figures, men of culture, and members of Indonesia`s civil society.

6 Equator - December 2011

Highlights

RI demonstrates stronger commitment to nuke-free world

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when speaking at an Inter-national Defense Dialog in March 2011 said a real push towards nuclear dis-armament by the nuclear powers has given a good reason for the world to be optimistic in looking at the future.

This year, Indonesia has demon-strated a stronger commitment to pro-moting a peaceful world which is free from nuclear threats by ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Trea-ty (CTBT).

The country has also actively advo-cated nuclear disarmament in various regional fora, especially in ASEAN (As-sociation of Southeast Asian Nations) and NAM (Non-Aligned Movement).

The Indonesian House of Represen-tatives passed legislation officially en-dorsing the CTBT on December 6, 2011. The CTBT bans all nuclear explosions in all environments for military or civilian purposes. According to the prepara-tory Commission for Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), 182 countries have signed the treaty, of which 156 have also ratified it.

The CTBT`s stringent entry-into-force provision prescribes that all 44 designated nuclear technology holder countries, which include Indonesia, must sign and ratify the treaty in order to make it law.

Indonesia is the 36th country that have ratified the treaty. Eight countries still have to ratify it, namely China, the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Paki-stan and the United States. Indonesia`s step is expected to have a domino ef-fect in that it would encourage the eight countries that have not yet rati-

fied the treaty to follow suit.Welcoming Indonesia`s move, US

President Barack Obama said that the treaty`s ratification by Indonesia pro-vided a strong example of the posi-tive leadership role the country could play in the global effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. “The United States remains fully committed to pur-suing ratification of the Test Ban Treaty and will continue to engage members of the Senate on the importance of this Treaty to US security,” Obama added.

Indonesia`s Foreign Affairs Minis-ter Marty said in late November 2011 the Government would during its at-tendance at regional and multilateral events continue to promote wider in-ternational adherence to the nuclear test ban treaty.

In the Southeast Asian region, the Minister said, Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair 2011 had been able to conduct negotiations with five nuclear weapon states (together referred to as the P5 group - namely the United States, Rus-sia, the United Kingdom, France and China), about the formation of a South East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

“With the finalization of negotia-tions between ASEAN and the five nu-clear weapon states, we have the assur-ance that the 600 million population of the Southeast Asia region will be freed from nuclear weapon threats,” he said.

On the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Bali, November 2011, Indonesian Coordi-nating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said there was progress regarding ASEAN`s efforts to get the P5, to respect and make a commitment not to violate the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ). “After a hia-tus of 10 years , negotiations about the P5 acceding to the SEANWFZ were re-sumed this year,” he said.

In his opening speech in the 19th ASEAN Summit, President Yudhoyono urged the P5 to immediately sign the protocol of Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ). “We have to take advantage of this precious momentum to have the the SEANWFZ protocol signed as soon as possible,” he said.

The SEANWFZ treaty was signed by all ASEAN members in 1995 and came into force in 1997. It expresses the region`s desire to contribute towards general and complete nuclear disarma-ment and the promotion of interna-tional peace and security.

Indonesia is the Chair of the Com-mission for SEANWFZ in 2011, and also the Coordinator of the NAM`s Working Group on Disarmament.

The NAM was founded in Belgrade, on September 1-6, 1961. The First Sum-mit Conference was attended by 25 countries, namely Afghanistan, Algeria, Yemen, Myanmar, Cambodia, Srilanka, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yugoslavia.

On the final day of its 16th Ministeri-al Meeting in Bali, in May 2011, the NAM member nations issued a Statement on “the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weap-ons” calling for the nuclear weapon disarmament for the sake of preserving world peace.

The NAM Ministers in the Bali meet-ing reiterated their deep concern over the nuclear weapons threat to human-ity, and therefore, the total banning of nuclear weapons in the world was a priority of NAM. “The Ministers, in the framework of the 50th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, declared their firm commitment to work for con-vening a high level international con-ference to identify ways and means of eliminating nuclear weapons at the ear-liest possible date, with the objective of an agreement on a phased program for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons with a specified framework of time, to prohibit their development, production, acquisition, testing, stock-piling, transfer, use of threat of use, and to provide for their destruction,” the NAM Bali statement stated.

President Yudhoyono in his opening speech at the NAM meeting expressed the country`s wish to see a future without nuclear weapons. “We work very hard to advance a vision of a world of zero nucle-ar weapons,” the President said.

In the Southeast Asian region, the Minister said, Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair 2011 had been able to conduct negotiations with five nuclear weapon states (together referred to as the P5 group - namely the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China), about the formation of a South East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

Equator - December 2011 7

Highlights

UN appreciates RI s contributions to international peace-keeping missions

Jakarta - The United Nations appre-ciates Indonesia`s contributions to UN peace-keeping missions in a number of countries.

“We are grateful and appreciate Indonesia`s contributions to UN Peace Keeping Missions,” Director for UN Peace Keeping Mission Operations Herve Ladsous said in a teleconference with Indonesian President Susilo Bam-bang Yudhoyono in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on December 19, 2011.

The conference was held in con-nection with the opening of the Peace Keeping Education and Training Center at the Indonesian “Santi Dharma” Peace and Security Center Compound by President Yudhoyono that day.

Flanked by Indonesian Ambassador to the UN, Hasan Kleib, Ladsous said he

welcomed the establishment of the fa-cility by Indonesia to better prepare its military personnel for carrying out UN missions.

“Congratulations on the establish-ment of the peace keeping education and training center which will better support preparations for military per-sonnel to be assigned for UN peace mis-sions any where,” he said.

Ladsous said Indonesia`s role in the UN Peace Keeping Missions had been proven well and given pride such as in Lebanon and Congo. In view of that, he said he hoped Indonesia could continue playing a role in UN peace missions.

Since 1957 Indonesia has sent 24,284 military personnel to carry out UN missions. In response, President Yudhoyono said the facility was aimed at creating TNI (military) personnel who were prepared and capable to serve in UN peace missions. “And Indonesia will continue playing a role and support UN peace missions anywhere,” he said.

Flanked by Defense Minister Purn-omo Yusgiantoro and TNI Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono as well as several cabinet ministers President Yudhoyono on the occasion also ex-

changed words with the commander of the UN peace mission in Congo (Mo-nusco) General Chander Prakash.

Prakash spoke about the history of the establishment of a UN Peace Mis-sion in Congo and developments in the security situation in the region in con-nection with the implementation of general elections in that country.

President Yudhoyono also talked with the Chief of the TNI Engineers Task Force Konga XX-H/Monusco, Lt Col Widiyanto regarding the tasks of the TNI contingent in the UN Mission in Congo.

He also talked with the Deputy Commander of the UN Peace Mission in South Lebanon (UNIFIL), Brigadier General Santi Bonfanti and the com-mander of the Garuda Contingent, Col. Darmawan Bakti regarding peace keep-ing mission in Lebanon and the task of the TNI contingent in the region.

The last person he talked with was the Deputy Commander of the UN Peace Mission in Haiti (Minustah) Felicio de Los Santos and the Commander of Indonesian Konga XXXII-A Colonel Wi-narno in connection with UN mission in Haiti and the TNI`s role in the region.

Since 1957 Indonesia has sent 24,284 military personnel to car-ry out UN missions. In response, President Yudhoyono said the facility was aimed at creating TNI (military) personnel who were prepared and capable to serve in UN peace missions

8 Equator - December 2011

Highlights

Jakarta - Indonesia is likely to see a significant increase in foreign invest-ment after it has reached “investment grade” which is expected to happen three to six months from now, the Head of a businessmen`s group said.

“According to our calculations, and information from analysts and research-ers, Indonesia will reach `investment grade` three to six months from now,” Airlangga Hartarto, Chairman of the In-donesian Issuers Association (AEI), said on December 6, 2011.

However, the benefits of the in-vestment grade status would be much reduced by the business climate in Eu-rope and the US which could obstruct the flow of investment to Indonesia.

“With Indonesia having investment grade status, investors would assume

the risks of investment in Indonesia to be good. But unfortunately, the busi-ness climate in Europe and the US next year will probably still be bad,” he said.

Airlangga was confident Indonesia would earn the investment grade quali-fication in the near future. “Thus it will significantly increase foreign invest-ment, and then we will get out of the crisis,” he said.

Meanwhile, international rating agency Fitch Ratings said it would consider raising Indonesia`s rank to “investment grade” over a period of at least 12 months because the required calculations were quite complex. “We are still considering raising Indonesia to `investment grade` status over a period of 12-18 months. That`s because the `credit rating` requires quite compli-

cated calculations, not just one factor alone. There are several factors to con-sider for Indonesia,” said Head of Sover-eign Ratings Asia Pacific Fitch Andrew Colquhoun.

The first factor to consider was the inflation rate until the end of the year. According to Andrew, Bank Indonesia should be able to hold the inflation steady. Besides, infrastructure must also be a concern because it referred to government policies requiring immedi-ate action.

“Foreign participation in the bond market also needs to be based on con-siderations of Indonesia`s performance during the 2008 crisis. Indonesia was quite strong in dealing with the crisis,” said Andrew.

RI expected to reach investment grade next year

ASEAN-Latin American Business Forum to be held next February

Jakarta - The Third ASEAN-Latin American Business Forum 2012 will be held in Jakarta, February 23-24, 2012, the ASEAN Foundation said in a press statement on December 19, 2011.

ASEAN Foundation Executive Direc-tor Dr. Makarim Wibisono discussed about the preparations for the Forum when receiving a visit from Brazilian Ambassador to Indonesia Paulo Alberto Da Silveira Soares at the ASEAN Foun-dation recently.

In the meeting, Ambassador Soares said that the Forum were expected to help flourish ASEAN and Latin Ameri-can business activities, especially on trade and investment.

He hoped to see seminars, work-

shops and activities between ASEAN and Latin American business stakehold-ers to happen in 2012 in areas not only in the business sector but also transfer of knowledge on issues on environment, food safety and renewable resources.

Dr. Makarim Wibisono concurred to the idea of realizing the commitments that will transpire during the Forum into concrete actions to develop trade and business in ASEAN and Latin America as well as activities that will help solve global problems for both regions.

He reiterated ASEAN Foundation`s commitment to support ASEAN com-munity building by promoting greater awareness of ASEAN, people-to-people interaction, and close collaboration among the business sector, civil soci-ety, academia and other stakeholders on ASEAN.

Both Dr. Makarim Wibisono and Am-bassador Soares believed that the Fo-rum will pave the way for a more prom-ising and outward looking partnership between ASEAN and Latin America.

The Forum is the last leg of a three-part project of the ASEAN Foundation

partnering with the Inter-American De-velopment Bank (IDB) which was offici-ated in 2009.

The project is intended to promote the transfer of knowledge between Southeast Asia and Latin American countries on trade and investment and enhance collaboration between the two regions through inter-regional partnership and linkages.

It specifically aims to raise aware-ness on trade and investment potentials through exchange of knowledge and to encourage resource mobilization to support new initiatives addressing criti-cal needs in enhancing economic ties between the two regions.

The first workshop on Prospects of Economic Relations between South-east Asia and Latin America was held on 12 October 2009 in Jakarta, and the second workshop has been modified and expanded into a bigger conference entitled ASEAN-Latin Business Forum 2010, held on 18 November 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.

ASEAN Foundation`s commitment to support ASEAN community building by promoting greater awareness of ASEAN, people-to-people interaction, and close col-laboration among the business sector, civil society, academia and other stakeholders on ASEAN

Equator - December 2011 9

Highlights

RI leading in creative economyJakarta - Tourism and Creative Econ-

omy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said Indonesia was the most leading country in the development of creative econo-my which was expected to contribute 11 percent to the national economy up to 2014.

“Indonesia includes 14 national eco-nomic aspects in its creative economic sector. China and South Korea only include four aspects,” Minister Mari E. Pangestu said in a seminar on Decem-ber 7, 2011.

She said that Indonesia was the first country to have a ministry which han-dled creative economy, a sector whose main basis was human resources that had unlimited sustainability, unlike oth-

er industries whose basis was natural resources.

The Minister said that creative econ-omy was closely related to the tourism industry because various tourism main-stay products were produced by cre-ative economy starting from handicraft to culinary products.

Creative economy is expected to reinforce national economy strength in the face of the impact of the Euro-pean and the United States economic meltdown. “During the 2008 economic crisis, tourism was one of the sectors which were not affected by the eco-nomic down turns,” the Minister said.

In 2010 the creative economic sec-tor contributed 7.2 percent to national economy and the Government has now prepared various steps to boost its de-velopment so that it would contribute over 10 percent in 2014. The growth of creative economy in 2006-2009 was re-corded at 2.9 percent per annum.

The Minister said that creative economy was closely related to the tourism industry because var-ious tourism mainstay products were produced by creative econ-omy starting from handicraft to culinary products

10 Equator - December 2011

Highlights

Bandung, West Java - Bandung, West Java`s provincial capital, has hosted a Road to Indonesia Coffee Festival on December 23, 2011, as a precursor to an Indonesian Coffee Festival in Bali next year, the event`s initiator said.

“Bandung which was the first region in Indonesia to host coffee plantations will have the honor of hosting the Road to Indonesia Coffee Festival,” Yanthi Tambunan said on December 14.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Coffee Festival will be held in Bali in early 2012. The festival was expected to be a heav-en for coffee lovers in Indonesia.

According to Yanthi, Bandung was chosen to host the Indonesian Coffee Festival`s pre-event because of its his-tory in coffee cultivation and trade that had brought it high prestige.

Bandung also played a significance role in the development of coffee in In-donesia because the first coffee planta-tions in Indonesia were established in the Bandung region by Peter Eugelhard during the Dutch colonial period, Cof-fee grown in the Bandung region later became known world-wide as Java Cof-fee, she said.

Based on this history, Bandung which has a cold climate, had a great

potentials for coffee business both packaged coffee and coffee treats in cafes. “The Road to Indonesia Coffee Festival will educate the public about coffee,” Yanthi said.

Indonesia is currently the world`s biggest coffee producer after Brazil and Vietnam. Indonesia`s current cof-fee production stands at 200 thousand tons per year.

Ideally with this high production Indonesia no longer needed to import coffee. With growth of 10 percent of the

local production, it would be sufficient to meet the domestic needs, Yanthi said.

“Indonesia`s coffee export potential is still large including to Japan, Germany, Italy, UK and U.S. However, usually the coffee exported comes back to Indone-sia under a foreign label,” she said.

The current upswing in the coffee price was related from the rainy season. The coffee price in the market was now around Rp80.000 per kilogram.

Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said the tourism sector and domestic market had the potentials to serve as a safety belt for national economy in the face of global economic meltdown.

“Indonesian tourism is not vulnerable to economic crisis so that the tourism sector and domestic market can serve as a safety belt for national economy,” the minister said on December 7, 2011.

She was speaking to a seminar on

“Tourism Outlook 2012” organized by ANTARA National News Agency with a theme of optimizing the creative eco-nomic sector for the tourism industry in Indonesia.

“We do not have to be worried about our tourism because we have huge tourism potentials. Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country and has the world`s fourth largest popula-tion of 237 million,” the Minister said.

She said that Indonesia stretched

5,120 km from the East to the West and 1,760 km from the North to the South. “We have eight World Cultural Heritage Sites which has the potentials to serve as host for international festivals and exhibitions, as well as strong creative industries,” the Minister said.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has set a target of 8 million foreign tourist arrivals up to the end of this year.

Tourism can serve as economic safety belt

Bandung was chosen to host the Indonesian Coffee Festival`s pre-event because of its history in coffee cultivation and trade that had brought it high prestige

Bandung hosted “Road to Indonesia Coffee Festival”

Equator - December 2011 11

Highlights

Nusa Dua, Bali - Putera Sampoerna as the founder of Putera Sampoerna Foundation receives a “Peace Through Commerce Medal Award 2011” from the International Trade Administration of the US Department of Trade.

“The award was given for Putera Sampoerna`s active efforts to increase international trade between the US and Indonesia through cooperation in the field of high learning education,” US Deputy Trade Secretary Fransisco J. San-chez said on the sidelines of the award presentation on December 12, 2011.

He said Putera Sampoerna is one of the eight persons chosen from across the world such as China, Hong Kong, Germany, the US and Australia.

Sanchez said the award was given to individuals, groups and organizations that had promoted and developed ex-port initiatives, innovative approaches and US trade.

“Each recipient of the award is a leader in his/her field in promoting trade. He/she has not only supported economic growth but also overcome cultural barriers,” he said.

Putera Sampoerna when express-ing his gratefulness for the award said “I am flattered to be among great fig-ures in the world to receive the award.”

He said high learning education is a long-term investment for a country`s future economy. A country`s bargain-

ing power will depend upon provision of education for its future generation, he said.

He said education is also one of efforts to deepen the relations that have existed between countries which will certainly help increase economic growth. “I hope this cooperation will help develop the younger generation, increase economic growth and create world-class education,” he said.

President invites Hakka Chinese bizmen to invest in MP3EI projects

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a meeting with repre-sentatives of Asia`s Hakka Chinese com-munity and asked them to participate in MP3EI (Economic Development Ac-celeration and Expansion Master Plan) projects.

“I invite you first as business players in Indonesia who certainly wish to serve your own country in an exemplary way by investing in areas you yourselves choose and think are the best for you,” the President said at the meeting with the Association of Prosperous Hakka In-donesians (PHIS) at Hall D of the Jakarta Exhibition Arena on December 21, 2011.

He said foreign investors were ex-pected to come to Indonesia in larger

numbers in the days ahead but before that happened he wished to offer ex-isting investment opportunities to do-mestic business players first.

President Yudhoyono asked around 5,000 invitees who attended the gath-ering not to miss the momentum to create various new opportunities.

Through economic mechanisms, he said, businesses could also help improve the welfare of the Indonesian people by reducing poverty and un-employment. “Do not wait. To those who can invest, mobilize businesses, let us cooperate to invest, develop the economy so that all people can enjoy the benefits,” he said.

PHIS`s Chief Patron Murdaya Poo in

his speech called on the Hakka Chinese community numbering around six mil-lion to invest in the country.

“Hakka community as economic players, please hurry, use your savings to invest in Indonesia. Do not worry about the imperfect regulations or bu-reaucrats,” he said.

President Yudhoyono in the com-pany of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono said Hakka Chinese had the same rights and obligations as other Indonesian citi-zens.

Therefore, he called on them to participate in maintaining security and order as well as political and social sta-bility for the sake of a better life for the nation.

Putera Sampoerna receives US government award

The award was given for Put-era Sampoerna s active efforts to increase international trade between the US and Indonesia through cooperation in the field of high learning education

12 Equator - December 2011

Highlights

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attended a function to celebrate Christmas Day at the Jakarta Convention Hall on December 27, 2011, and his remarks on the occasion called for increased tolerance and solidarity.

He said in his speech at the event that tolerance and solidarity are the key to the success of development.

“All people must be made aware of the principles of humanism and toler-ance to settle all problems. Right now we are in the middle of a development process in which solidarity among the nation`s components is needed regard-less of their identities, whether they are Christians, Moslems, Confucianists, Bud-dhists or Hindus. They all have equal re-sponsibility,” he said.

The Head of State said the good na-tional conditions in terms of economy, politics and social life had to be wel-comed with gratefulness through the Christmas commemoration.

“In this way we can also help build harmony among nations in the world. I would also ask Christians in the country to be always grateful for the progress we have made as nation and to improve achievement of things that have not yet been achieved. Make Christmas Day a light that gives optimism, positive think-ing and conviction,” he said.

“Let us also meet the new year with hope. Let us create stable political con-ditions, good economic and social con-ditions,” he said. “All mistakes and inap-propriateness in the life of the nation and community must not happen again next year. With faith, hope and passion let us build Indonesia to be more peace-ful, just and prosperous,” he said.

On the occasion he also conveyed the regards of First Lady Any Yudhoyono who was unable to attend the event due to illness. “Mrs Ani who has so far always come to the religious commemoration events like tonight is unable to attend

because she is undergoing treatment in a hospital. She sends her regards,” he said. The function was also attended by

Vice President Boediono, Mrs Herawati Boediono, Cabinet ministers and other high ranking officials.

President attends national Christmas day event

The Head of State said the good national conditions in terms of economy, politics and social life had to be welcomed with grate-fulness through the Christmas commemoration

Equator - December 2011 13

Highlights

Jakarta - The women of Indonesia play an important role in various sectors and also determine the progress of the nation, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

Speaking at a function to mark the peak event of the 83th National Mothers Day at Balai Kartini in South Jakarta on

22 December 2011, the President said the women should also have a wider access to improving their capability.

“By understanding the process and direction of the women movement, we know that the struggle of women remains relevant to date in their effort to improve the life of the nation,” the President said.

The Head of State pointed out that the role of women in the field of educa-tion, and the tree planting and tree keep-ing movement should highly be appreci-ated. Therefore the President noted that the women should continue to step up

their role in various fields which at present needed a serious attention.

“I am optimistic that the women of In-donesia are able to become forerunners in numerous successful development pro-grams,” the President said.

He also encouraged the women to play their role in keeping clean the environ-ment. “We have to keep our environment clean, because if it is dirty, it will affect our hearts and minds as well. Therefore, to-gether let us make our environment and our country clean,” the President said.

“I am optimistic that the women of Indonesia are able to become forerunners in numerous success-ful development programs,” the President said

Indonesia to host World Stamps Exhibition

Jakarta - Indonesia will host a World Stamps Championship and Exhibition from June 18-24, 2012, at the Jakarta Con-vention Center, Indonesian Philatelists Association Chairman Lt Gen (Ret) R So-eyono said on December 19, 2011.

“The World Stamps Championship and Exhibition 2012 will be participated in by philatelists from 70 world philately federations and more than 100 stamp dealers all over the world,” Soeyono said.

He said 65 philately federations from Asia Pacific countries namely China, Ja-pan, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, and Congo have confirmed their participation in the stamps champi-onship and exhibition in Indonesia.

Indonesia has hosted four similar events, namely Indopex 93 in Surabaya, East Java; Jakarta 95 in Jakarta; Indone-sia 96 in Bandung, West Java; and Jakarta 2008 in Jakarta.

Themed “Bridging To The World Of Peace Through Stamps” the event was in-tended to step up the world`s philatelists friendship, to create world peace, and to advance philately in various aspects.

“”The World Stamps Championship and Exhibition 2012 will be conducted to observe the 485th anniversary of Jakarta, the 67th anniversary of the state philoso-phy of Pancasila, and to hail the 67th an-niversary of Indonesian Independence Day,” he said.

Women also determine national progress, President said

14 Equator - December 2011

Focus

RI applauded for ratifying nuclear test ban treaty by Fardah

Jakarta - Fifteen years after the Com-prehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature, In-donesia has finally ratified the treaty, a decision that has been applauded by world leaders who said it helped the world move closer to end nuclear tests.

“Indonesia has always vigorously supported the CTBT and was among the first to sign when the Treaty was opened for signature on 24 September 1996. However, as a matter of principle, it deferred the ratification process on the principle that states that possessed nuclear weapons should commit to the Treaty ahead of anyone else,” the Indo-nesian Foreign Ministry said in a state-ment recently.

The country`s House of Representa-tives (DPR) on December 6, 2011, passed legislation officially endorsing the CTBT that bans all nuclear explosions in all en-vironments for military or civilian pur-poses.

“Members of all factions in the par-liament have agreed to ratify the CTBT,” House Deputy Speaker Priyo Budi San-toso said in a plenary session that was also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa and Head of Prepara-tory Commission for Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Tibor Toth who had flown in from Vienna, Austria, to witness the his-toric moment.

Marty said the House`s endorsement would strengthen Indonesia`s stance in supporting the non proliferation and to-tal eradication of weapons of mass de-struction, including nuclear weapons, and Indonesia would henceforth make efforts to persuade other countries to ratify the CTBT. Indonesia`s endorse-ment of the Treaty will receive official recognition when it is presented to the United Nations.

The CTBT bans any nuclear explosion for military or civil purposes, and estab-lishes a complex verification system to monitor compliance. When complete there will be 337 facilities monitoring the planet, underground, the oceans and the atmosphere for any sign of a nuclear explosion.

According to CTBO, 182 countries have signed the treaty, of which 156

have also ratified it. The CTBT`s stringent entry-into-force provision proscribes that all 44 designated nuclear technolo-gy holder countries must sign and ratify the treaty in order to make it law.

With Indonesia`s ratification, 36 have now done so. The eight countries that still have to ratify it are China, the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.

The Vienna-based CTBTO was es-tablished to implement the treaty but pending its entry into force, the organi-zation had the status of a so called Pre-paratory Commission.

Toth congratulated Indonesia`s par-liamentarians for bringing the CTBT “a significant step closer to becoming global law.” “By this historic decision, the gap keeping the Treaty from enter-ing into force has been narrowed down to eight countries,” he said.

The ratification of the CTBT by Indo-nesia has been applauded by a number of countries including the United States, Turkey, Mexico, Japan, the European Union, Australia, Germany, France, Aus-tria, Britain, New Zealand and Sweden.

US President Barack Obama said in a statement issued by the White House on 6 December 2011 that the ratifica-tion provided a strong example of the positive leadership role Indonesia could play in the global effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

“The United States remains fully committed to pursuing ratification of the Test Ban Treaty and will continue to engage members of the Senate on the importance of this Treaty to US securi-

ty,” Obama added.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

in her statement thanked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Government of Indonesia for their lead-ership in this global effort to reinforce the nuclear nonproliferation regime.

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd Rudd said in a statement that “This decision further attests to Indonesia`s strong practical commitment to disar-mament and will lend new impetus to efforts to universalise the CTBT, espe-cially given Indonesia`s role as the Non-Aligned Movement`s Coordinator for Disarmament.”

Australia hosts 21 monitoring fa-cilities, the third-largest number of any state in the world, and supports the CTBT Organization in developing on-site inspection and verification proce-dures.

Praising Indonesia`s action on the CTBT, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said “My message is clear: Do not wait for others to move first. Take the initiative. Lead. The time for waiting has passed.” Ban encouraged all states that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the treaty.

Catherine Ashton, the High Rep-resentative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, also issued a statement saying “With its rati-fication, Indonesia confirmed its com-mitment to the objective of eliminating all nuclear test explosions worldwide.”

The entry into force of the CTBT is a major objective on the multilateral agenda, and remains a strategic priority for the European Union as an essential element of advancing nuclear disarma-ment and non-proliferation, she said.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called Indonesia`s decision “a further advance” that “will help pave the way for the Treaty to finally enter into force”.

According to Westerwelle, the ap-proval of the Treaty by Indonesia`s Par-liament showed that “all over the world the importance of nuclear disarmament and arms control is increasingly recog-nized.”

Germany acceded to the CTBT in

“Indonesia has always vigorous-ly supported the CTBT and was among the first to sign when the Treaty was opened for signature on 24 September 1996. However, as a matter of principle, it de-ferred the ratification process on the principle that states that pos-sessed nuclear weapons should commit to the Treaty ahead of anyone else,” the Indonesian for-eign ministry said in a statement

Focus

Equator - December 2011 15

1998. With annual funding in the order of seven million euro, the German Gov-ernment is the third largest contributor to the CTBTO.

The Mexican Government applaud-ed the decision of the Indonesian Parlia-ment and said it would contribute to a nuclear-weapon-free world.

The Mexican Government, which ratified the CTBT on October 5, 1999,

urged the countries that have not yet endorsed or adhered to the treaty to do so as soon as possible so that the CTBT can enter into force around the world.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt welcomed Indonesia`s CTBT endorse-ment and said “With this fine example of political leadership and international engagement by Indonesia, the CTBT

moves yet one step further towards en-try into force. This is indeed good news for nuclear disarmament and non-pro-liferation in all its aspects as well as for regional and international security.”

Appreciation also came from Brit-ish Foreign Secretary William Hague who said “I congratulate the Indonesian Government for ratifying the CTBT, the 156th country to do so. This is a signifi-cant step towards the Treaty`s entry into force and to a global ban on nuclear weapon test explosions. I now call on the remaining eight states that need to ratify the treaty for it to enter into force to do so. I hope the Indonesian example of a change of direction in policy on the CTBT after 15 years will send a positive signal to them.”

The CTBT provides for a system ca-pable of detecting nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, either in the at-mosphere, underwater or underground, and is made up of 321 stations for seis-mic, hydroacoustic and infrasound moni-toring, and 16 radionuclide laboratories.

Indonesia currently hosts six of the

seismic stations which are part of the CTBT`s global alarm system monitoring the planet for any evidence of nuclear explosions.

The seismic stations are crucial for a country like Indonesia, which is prone to natural disasters, because the stations seismic data also provide warnings about tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, and can be used for other civil and sci-entific applications.

Indonesia has been actively pushing for a world free of nuclear weapons at various regional and international fora such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and ASEAN.

Marty had announcement that his country intended to ratify the CTBT at the opening of the 2010 Review Confer-ence of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in New York on May 3, 2010.

Indonesia`s step is expected to gen-erate a domino effect inspiring the eight countries which have not yet shown their intention to ratify the Treaty.

Indonesia has been actively push-ing for a world free of nuclear weapons at various regional and international fora such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and ASEAN

16 Equator - December 2011

Focus

Jakarta - When Indonesia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship in January 2011, ASEAN Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsu-wan expressed optimism that the country could take ASEAN to a greater height.

“Indonesia has weight, international legitimacy and global appeal to draw tremendous support and attention from around the world to the ASEAN commu-nity building efforts that we are all engag-ing in now,” Dr Surin said as quoted on the official website of the ASEAN Secretariat early this year.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was committed to leading the regional grouping meaningfully under his chair-manship themed “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations”. The theme implied Indonesia s determination to be engaged, proactively and use the ASEAN platform to enhance ASEAN s profile in the global arena.

“I do not want just the success of or-ganizing the ASEAN Summits, related Summits and Ministerial Meetings,” said the President last January, adding that he wanted to make sure that his ASEAN chair-manship must produce significant and concrete outcomes.

Indonesia was in 1967 one of the founders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which now groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thai-land, the Philippines and Vietnam.

With hard work and the support of vari-ous parties, especially Foreign Affairs Min-ister Marty Natalegawa, and cooperation from other ASEAN member countries, In-donesia played its chairmanship role so well that there is now wide acknowledgement it has succeeded in bringing ASEAN to a high-er level of progress and achievement.

Commendations came from among others UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who praised the Indonesian leadership in ASEAN in advancing and expanding regional cooperation through the sixth summit of East Asia with 18 countries par-ticipating.

“I really appreciate the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as ASEAN Chairman through the summit, which the substance to promote and ex-pand regional cooperation,” said Ban Ki-moon in a special interview with ANTARA

in Nusa Dua, Bali, on the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Summit and related Summits, November 2011.

The long journey of ASEAN regional cooperation which then was expanded with ASEAN +3 Summit and East Asia Summit brought together 18 countries with a total population of 3.7 billion is an achievement, he said.

Ban Ki-moon presented President Yud-hoyono a “Global Champion of Disaster Risk Reduction” award from the United Na-tions on the occasion. “The East Asia Sum-mit (EAS) is now one of the largest regional cooperation forums in the world. I am proud to see this as a reality,” he added.

The EAS has expanded from a 16- to an 18-country grouping, with the formal invitation to the Russian Federation and the United States, who seek to engage more closely with the region. The inclu-sion of the US and Russia in the EAS was proposed by Indonesia in order to achieve a dynamic equilibrium, Marty Natalegawa once explained.

US President Barack Obama for the first time joined the sixth EAS which was attended also by the leaders of Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Cambo-dia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

Obama congratulated Indonesia on its chairmanship of ASEAN and the EAS and the country s efforts to promote regional security, nuclear non-proliferation, and disarmament; and commitment to mak-ing democracy and human rights plat-forms for ASEAN s development.

“Finally, I convey to President Yud-hoyono our appreciation of Indonesia s re-gional leadership, which has helped us to achieve real progress on issues like disaster relief, maritime security, and nonprolifera-tion. And I thank him for Indonesia s efforts to promote democracy and human rights,

and advance security and peace,” Obama said in a statement issued after a bilateral meeting with Yudhoyono on the sidelines of the sixth EAS, in Bali, Nov 18, 2011.

Singapore s Foreign Minister K. Shan-mugam in an interview with Channel NewsAsia, recently, said ASEAN had pro-gressed well under the strong and able leadership of Indonesia.

“In the Thai-Cambodian dispute, Indo-nesia, as Chair of ASEAN, together with the other ASEAN countries, played a very use-ful role and the role that Indonesia played was mentioned by the International Court of Justice,” said Shanmugam, adding that Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair 2011 had done well.

Specifically Dr Surin Pitsuwan men-tioned to Tempo recently that Minister Marty Natalegawa should get credit for purposefully changing how ASEAN is viewed today by its member states. “Do not underestimate the powers of Indo-nesia”, the ASEAN Secretary General said, adding that. “Indonesia did splendidly”, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Bali.

He recalled that initially ASEAN had been seen as a regional bloc constricted by its non-interference policy. But, follow-ing Indonesia s chairmanship, ASEAN has transformed significantly into a regional grouping whose members can come to the table and expect to resolve disputes and expand economic collaboration.

Another appreciation, according to Tempo, came from Malaysian Prime Min-ister Najib Razak who praised Indonesia s role as ASEAN chair in drawing superpow-ers to attend the EAS. Najib said that Presi-dent Obama, “would not waste” his time coming all the way here if he did not see any value in it. Neither would the President of China.

On a separate occasion, on November 28, 2011, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay commended Indonesia s “very positive” approach to human rights during its 2011 chairmanship of ASEAN and ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), and its vice-chair-manship of a second human rights body, the ASEAN Commission for Women and Children.

This year, Indonesia hosted the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta in May, and the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits

Indonesia successfully takes ASEAN to greater height by Fardah

The long journey of ASEAN regional cooperation which then was ex-panded with ASEAN +3 Summit and East Asia Summit brought together 18 countries with a total population of 3.7 billion is an achievement

Focus

Equator - December 2011 17

in Bali, November 14-19. Previously, ASEAN Summits had been held in this country in 1979 and 2003.

In 1976, when Indonesia chaired ASE-AN, member states produced the Bali Concord I, which was based on the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). It laid out the rules of the game for ASEAN and also for other powers that wanted to engage in any form of cooperation with ASEAN. In 2003, ASEAN produced the Bali Concord II, which initiated the ASEAN Economic Com-munity.

And this year, the Bali Declaration on ASEAN Community in a Global Commu-nity of Nations or the Bali Concord III was adopted during the 19th ASEAN Summit, to support its greater role globally.

The Bali Concord III was signed by the ten ASEAN leaders, namely Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Sultan Hasanal Bol-kiah of Brunei Darussalam, Laos Prime Min-ister Thongsing Thammavong, President of Myanmar Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Filipino President Benigno Aquino III, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shina-watra, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dun and President Yudhoyono.

The Summit also adopted Joint Decla-ration on Comprehensive Partnership be-tween ASEAN and the United Nations.

President Yudhoyono mentioned nine main achievements made during the 19th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

The achievements were producing concrete measures to strengthen the three pillars of ASEAN community; strengthen-ing regional economic growth; assuming a pivotal role in building a more efficient and effective architecture for regional coopera-tion; maintaining South East Asia regional stability and security; strengthening the role of ASEAN globally; promoting joint efforts to strengthen the economy of East Asia (East region); boosting joint efforts to develop platform and real action to ad-dress food, water, and energy security as well as climate change; advocating joint efforts to address non-traditional secu-rity challenges: natural disasters, terrorism, transnational crimes; and forging joint ef-forts to maintain peace, security and stabil-ity and order of East Asian region.

During its ASEAN chairmanship 2011, Indonesia managed to play a role as a peacemaker in the Cambodia-Thailand conflict over the Preah Vihear temple.

Indonesia and other ASEAN member countries collectively have also played a role in encouraging the Myanmar govern-ment to open up its political system and introduce other reforms more quickly.

Given the positive democratic devel-opments in Myanmar, the Bali summit

approved Myanmar s proposal to assume the ASEAN chair in 2014.

Another significant achievement made during Indonesia s chairmanship was progress in the implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Par-ties in the South China Sea (DOC), includ-ing the recent adoption of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the DOC.

“ASEAN now has become a more ma-ture organization able to create stability and security in the region while also im-proving its economy and people-to-peo-ple relations. With such an asset, I believe ASEAN can contribute positively to the global community,” President Yudhyono as the ASEAN Chair 2011 said in his open-ing speech in the Bali Summit.

The Indonesian President handed over the country’s position as the ASEAN Chair to Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cam-bodia at the closing ceremony of the 19th ASEAN Summit.

According to Minister Marty, the hard work of ASEAN countries had successfully resulted in the improving security, peace, stability of ASEAN making the Southeast Asia region far from conflicts.

“In the midst of difficult domestic situation faced by several member coun-tries, ASEAN has been able to make prog-ress in a number of areas,” said Marty in Bali on November 16, 2011.

18 Equator - December 2011

Focus

Past year marked by intense RI-UNESCO engagement

Jakarta - The year 2011 has been quite special for Indonesia and UNES-CO as President Susilo Bambang Yud-hoyono spoke at a UNESCO meeting in Paris, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova visited Indonesia, and Aceh`s Saman dance was recognized as a world cultural heritage.

President Yudhoyono was invited to the special session of the 36th UNESCO General Conference to mark the 10th anniversary of the declaration of univer-sal cultural diversity because UNESCO considered the country to be an exam-ple of cultural diversity that eventually became a source of strength.

Indonesia is a unique laboratory for the country`s cultural diversity, a mem-ber of the Administrative Group of the International Bureau of Education (IBE) Council of UNESCO Arief Rachman said last November.

He said Indonesia has more than 500 tribes with more than 700 ethnic languages in more than 17,000 islands, and therefore UNESCO had invited the President to present his views on the development and preservation of the country`s cultural diversity.

In his speech at the UNESCO Head-quarters in November 2011, Yudhoyono called on all parties in the world to join Indonesia in creating a new approach to the development of multicultural life.

He said a new approach must be found to develop understanding over cultural diversity and differences. “The previous paradigm of `I and you` should now be changed into `we ,” he said.

Yudhoyono expressed appreciation to UNESCO that has helped Indonesia protect and develop its cultures includ-ing its recognition of the country`s heri-tages such as Batik textile, Kris dagger and its assistance for the maintenance of Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

UNESCO Chief Irina praised Indo-nesia for its capability in preserving its cultural diversity in view of that fact that the nation consists of a lot of different ethnic groups, local languages and local cultures. “I expressed my appreciation to Indonesia, a country with cultural di-versity,” she said in Paris.

After the Paris conference, Irina made her first official visit to Indonesia

from November 19 to 25, 2011, during which she went through a quite hectic agenda.

She among other things visited the World Heritage site of Borobudur in Magelang, Central Java, Bali Island and Jakarta.

When visiting Borobudur Temple on November 19, Irina, a Bulgarian senior diplomat who was elected as UNESCO Director General in 2009 for four years, planted a bodhi tree, laid a stone and rewarded community workers in a cer-emony to mark the end of a nearly two-year cleaning operation at the Buddhist temple following the eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010.

“The 2010 eruptions tell a story of de-struction -- but, together, we are writing a new tale, one of resilience and unity,” she said.

Built by a king of the Sailendra dy-nasty between AD 750 and 842, the temple was restored with UNESCO`s help in the 1970s.

Irina later officially opened the Sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Com-mittee for the Safeguarding of the In-tangible Cultural Heritage held in Bali, from November 22 to 29, 2011.

During the week-long meeting, the Committee finally managed to select 11 items to be added to the List of Intan-gible Heritage in Need of Urgent safe-guarding, 19 others were inscribed on the Representative List, and five Best Safeguarding Practices were selected.

Aceh`s Saman dance, well-known abroad as “Thousand hands” dance, was one of the 11 items inscribed in UNESCO`s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguard-ing.

In Bali, Irina also visited four sites constituting a cultural landscape of Bali

which have been proposed by the Indo-nesian Government for inscription onto the UNESCO World Heritage list.

She later visited the Tsunami Early Warning Centre (InaTEWS) at the Meteo-rological, Climatology, and Geophysi-cal Agency (BMKG) office in Jakarta on November 24, to see firsthand how the center operates. Irina said through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), UNESCO would con-tinue to support the global coordination of tsunami early warning systems.

UNESCO is working with the Centre and other Indonesian partners to train teachers and students about how to re-act and to help each other when a warn-ing is issued. When schools have such standard operating procedures in place, many lives can be saved.

Throughout her visit, she also met with senior government officials in-cluding with Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Education and Culture Minister Moham-mad Nuh, and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu, to discuss UNESCO`s cooperation with Indonesia.

In October 2011, Indonesia has sup-ported UNESCO`s decision to accept Palestine as a full member last October, which has caused the UN body to lose financial contribution from the United States which is against the Palestinian membership in the UN organization.

As UNESCO is financially experienc-ing difficult times, the Indonesian gov-ernment has pledged $10 million to support the activities of UNESCO.

The Director-General expressed her gratitude for this significant and timely contribution, affirming that it would support UNESCO`s core activities, in-cluding the preservation of heritage, capacity building and improving the quality of education.

Previously, Indonesia`s cultural heri-tage which have included in UNESCO`s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity are Ang-klung bamboo music instrument (2010), Batik traditional textile (2009); Kris blade and Wayang Puppet Theatre (2008).

Borobudur Temple was inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List in

In 2012, Indonesia plans to nomi-nate Noken traditional bag from Papua, a Balinese dance, and the Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII), and Sasando tradi-tional music instrument of East Nusa Tenggara to be included in the UNESCO`s list of intangible world cultural heritage

Focus

Equator - December 2011 19

1991, together with Prambanan Temple compounds. In 1996, UNESCO included Sangiran Early Man Site in Solo, Central Java, where the first hominid fossil was discovered during excavations from 1936 to 1941, in the same list.

As for Indonesian natural sites, the World Heritage List has inscribed Komo-do National Park (1991), Lorentz National Park (1999), Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (2004) and Ujung Kulon Na-tional Park (1991) .

In 2012, Indonesia plans to nominate Noken traditional bag from Papua, a Balinese dance, and the Beautiful In-donesia in Miniature Park (TMII), and Sasando traditional music instrument of East Nusa Tenggara to be included in the UNESCO`s list of intangible world cultural heritage.

Balinese dances and the other In-donesian cultural features have been proposed as UNESCO`s Best Practices in Indigenous Knowledge.

Besides, since 2007, Bali has proposed four sites to be inscribed in UNESCO`s World Heritage List. The four sites are respectively lake Batur located in Bangli District, Ayun Park Temple at Mengwi sub district, Badung District, Catur Ang-ga Batukaru covering Lake Buyan, Lake Tamblingan, Mt Batukaru and terraced

rice field in Tabanan District, and Pakeri-san river basin in Gianyar District.

If Bali successfully meets all the requirements, the four places will be named as “Bali Cultural Landscape Sub-ak System”, because the four sites philo-sophically are integrated and connect-ed especially in the “subak” traditional management process for irrigation.

UNESCO will consider the four sites proposed by the Bali Province to be in-cluded onto the World Heritage list in May 2012, Ketut Suastika, the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism office, said in Denpasar, Bali, recently.

On October 13-17, 2011, a Inter-national Council on Monuments and Sites(ICOMOS) team led by Augusto Vil-lanon had visited the four places in Bali for an evaluation as nominees of the World Heritage Sites.

Apart from Bali, other regions such as Jambi Province on Sumatra Island also want to join the UNESCO World Heritage List. “We will propose two tour-ist objects as our priority program to

UNESCO and obtain world recognition, namely the Muarojambi temple and the Geopark in Merangin,” said the Jambi Culture and Tourism Office`s spokesper-son, Heri Suroso, last June.

The Merangin Geopark is a remnant of fossils that were formed as a result of a sedimentation by molten magma coming out of the earth`s bowels 150 million to 299 million years ago.

The Buddhist Muarojambi Temple is an eight temple-like structures built around the 14th century.

Archaeologists conclude that the site was the center of Old Jambi, the capital of ancient Malay kingdom which reigned supreme about ten centuries ago. Muara Jambi temple complex cov-ers an area of 12 km2, along the side of Batanghari river.

Songket traditional woven clothes of South Sumatra has been considered to be registered for consideration in the UNESCO List. “Yes, indeed we want Songket to be registered (to UNESCO) like Batik, and we will do it,” Minister Mari Elka Pangestu.

UNESCO was also expected to des-ignate the Wakatobi National Marine Park in Southeast Sulawesi as World`s Biosphere Reserve.

UNESCO was also expected to designate the Wakatobi National Marine Park in Southeast Sulawesi as World`s Biosphere Reserve

Sasando traditional music instrument

Wakatobi National Marine Park

Songket traditional woven

20 Equator - December 2011

Business

Indonesia, for sure, is the biggest pro-ducer of South Sea Pearls in the world. It is estimated that around 124,810 hectares of Indonesian equatorial seas provide suitable habitats for Pinctada Maxima, the oysters producing the majestic pearls. With such a huge potential area for pearling activities, Indonesia has the potential to produce at least 20 tons of pearl per year. Indonesia, with its more than 17,000 lush tropical is-lands, of which around 3,000 are inhabited, is the largest archipelago country in the world. The chain of islands extends 4,500 ki-lometers West to East and 2,000 kilometers North to South. Situated southeast of the Asian mainland and north and northwest of Australia, this string of emeralds is cast between the Indian and the Pacific oceans. These factors have created a highly diverse environment that is rich in natural resources (oil, iron, gold, tin, nickel) as well as in terms of both terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

Indonesia boasts 95,181 kilometers of coastline which is among the longest in the world. As such, Indonesia is endowed with the richest marine coastal sea-beds biota. Many kinds of crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimps as well as various types of mollusks, such as clams and oysters are among Indonesia’s major fishery products. Indonesia is also a major producer of non-edible fishery products called pearls, thanks to the pristine marine environment which provides the best possible environment for pearl-producing oysters. Indonesia is the biggest producer of South Sea Pearls in the world market

THE SPECIAL VIRTUES OF INDONESIAN SOUTH SEA PEARLS

In order to appreciate the special dis-tinctions of the South Sea Pearls, for which Indonesia is the leading producer, one can assess their beauty in terms of luster, color, size, shape and surface quality.In terms of luster, South Sea pearls, both natural and cultured, have a very distinct appearance. Due to their unique natural luster, they ex-hibit a gentle inner glow which is noticeably different from the surface shine of other pearls. It is sometimes described as com-paring the glow of candle-light with that of a fluorescent light. Occasionally, pearls of very fine quality will exhibit a phenomenon known as orient. This is the combination of

a translucent luster with subtle reflections of color.

The most popular colors of South Sea pearls are white or white with various col-ored overtones. Overtones can be almost any color of the rainbow, and are derived from the natural colors of the nacre of the South Sea pearl oyster. When combined with a translucent intense luster, they cre-ate the effect known as “orient”. Colors that are dominantly found include, Silver, Pink White, White Rose, Golden White, Gold Cream, Champagne and Imperial Gold. Im-perial gold color is the rarest of all. This ma-jestic color is produced only by the oysters cultivated in Indonesian waters.South Sea cultured pearls dominate the pearl world in size, and are generally between 10mm and 15 millimeters.

When bigger sizes are found, rarer pearls above 16 millimeters and occasion-ally in excess of 20 millimeters are highly prized by connoisseurs. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then South Sea Pearls offer a myriad of opportunities of beauty to Indonesia produces South Sea Pearls that are cultivated from Pinctada

Maxima, the largest species of oyster. As an archipelago with a pristine environment, Indonesia provides the optimum environ-ment for Pinctada Maxima to produce high quality pearls. Indonesia’s Pinctada Maxima produce pearls with more than a dozen of color shades. The rarest and most valuable pearls produced are the ones with gold and silver colors. A range of delicate shades, among others, silver, champagne, brilliant white, pink and gold, with the Imperial Gold Pearl as the most magnificent of all pearls.

The Imperial Gold Color Pearl produced by oysters cultivated in pristine Indonesian waters is in reality the Queen of South Sea Pearl. behold, as no two pearls are exactly the same. Due to the thickness of their na-cre, South Sea cultured pearls are found in an exciting variety of shapes. Pearl nacre is a beautiful matrix of calcium carbonate crys-tals and special substances produced by the oyster. This matrix is laid down in perfectly formed microscopic tiles, layer upon layer. The thickness of the pearl is determined by the number of layers, and the thickness of each layer. The appearance of the nacre will be determined by whether the calcium crystals are “flat” or “prismatic”, by the per-

fection with which the tiles are laid, and by the fineness and number of layers of tiles. The effect on the pearl’s beauty depends on the degree of visibility of these perfec-tions. This surface quality of the pearl is de-scribed as the pearl’s complexion.Although shape does not affect the quality of a pearl, the demand for particular shapes does have a bearing on value. For convenience, South Sea cultured pearls are graded into these seven shape categories. Several cat-egories are further divided into numerous sub-categories: 1) Round; 2) Semi-Round; 3) Baroque; 4) Semi-Baroque; 5) Drop; 6) Circle; 7) Button.

DEVELOPMENT PEARL CULTIVATION IN INDONESIA

The trial tests of pearl culture in Indone-sia started in Buton, Southeast Sulawesi as from 1921 by a group of Japanese experts led by Dr. M. Fujita, a leading researcher in pearl cultivation. The venture was financed by the Mitsubishi Corporation from Japan. The test culture was using the Golden Pearl Oyster (Pinctada Maxima Jameson) col-lected from the Arafura Sea, specifically around the Aru Islands Group. After seven years of trial and error, the test culture final-ly succeeded in producing rounded pearls with attractive colors and luster. Thereaf-ter, the sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation, established the South Sea Pearl Corp. Ltd. (Nanyo Shinju Kabushiki Kaisha) which was operating the pearl farming business. The operation ended in 1941 due to the World War II.

In 1958, the trial test activities for pearl culture were resumed by Indonesian re-searchers and experts from the Indonesian Center for Marine Fishery. The efforts were then continued by the Indonesian Research Center for Marine Fishery as from 1962. The trial tests for pearl culture of Pinctada Mar-garitifera were conducted in the Gulf of Ja-karta and in Semayang Island, Riau Islands Group. The Research Center also tested the pearl culture of Pinctada Lentiginosa in the Kalabahi Gulf, Alor, East Nusa Tenggara. The tests did not come out as expected.

As from 1960, pearl culture activities were started using wild Pinctada Maxima oysters collected from their natural habitat. From 1990s onwards, pearl farming started using adult oysters reared from hatcheries.

Indonesia’s best export products

Adorable jewels thoughout the ages

Business

Equator - December 011 21

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS TO SUP-PORT THE PEARLING INDUSTRY

To promote Indonesian pearls, a series of inte-grated activities have been organized, among others, promotional exhibition both within the country and overseas, pearl auctions and trade fairs. The Indonesian Government through the Ministry of trade encourage and support pearl businessmen to actively participate in international trade fairs in jewelry so as to penetrate the world market. On top of those, the Indonesian Gov-ernment has also established the Annual Indonesian Pearl Auction in Surabaya started as from 2007. This annual event is organized jointly by the Government through the Ministry of Fishery and Marine Affairs in coordination with Asbumi (Indonesian Pearl Culture Association)

At production stage, the Indonesian Government through the Ministry of Fishery and Marine Affairs sup-ports the pearling industries through research and de-velopment activities with regards to breeding of high quality oysters and improvement in pearling activities. The Government also provides high quality feeds for spats to pearl farming business, on top of providing technical training on grafting and farming manage-ment. As the guidelines for the activities to develop the pearling industries, the Government promulgated the Presidental Act No.32/1990 on The Management of Pearl Cultivation Areas which regulates spatial ar-rangements that specify boundaries to ensure the en-vironmental conditions that are conducive for pearling industries.

The Government facilitated the establishment of Asbumi (Indonesian Pearl Culture Association) as the intermediary with the pearling business. As an inde-pendent entity, the organization’s overall objective is to collectively improve the quality of Indonesian pearls in order to have a strengthened position in the world market.

PRODUCTION CENTERS OF INDONESIAN PEARL FARMING

As the biggest producer of South Sea Pearl, Indo-nesia recorded production figure of 12 tons in 2005. This figure is expected to increase to 18 tons by 2009. Indonesian cultured South Sea pearls are produced in the following areas: 1) the waters surrounding Bali; (2) Nusa Tenggara (Lombok and Sumbawa); (3) Sulawesi (Celebes); (4) Maluku (Moluccas) islands, and in 5) Papua Province. Bali’s pearl farms are located in the calm wa-ters off the island’s north-western coast, in the Buleleng District, near Gerokgak. Nusa Tenggara is the biggest producer of high quality South Sea Pearls in Indonesia. There are several pearl farms in the West Nusa Teng-gara region of Lombok, known for its “golden pearls” from the Gold-Lipped oyster. Lombok has over 24 active pearl farms, on or near Sekotong’s ten islands, on southwestern tip of Lombok. Pearls produced by pearl farms in Nusa Tenggara increased from 689 kilo-grams in 2001 to 1,800 kilograms in 2005 and around 2,000 kilograms in 2006. In 2009, total pearl produc-tion is expected to reach 2.8 tons.

ARTHA SAMUDRA, PT

ARTHA SAMUDRA, PTJl. Jati Padang Baru Blok D1-A Jakarta SelatanTelp : (021) 7804361Fax : (021) 7801674asjkt@indosat.net.idCP : Rajendra Nasution

BIMA BUDIDAYA MUTIARA, PT

Jl. Gedong Panjang No. 2-BDJakarta Barat 11240Telp : (021) 6918204 - 05, (0374) 44641Fax : (021) 6918206, (0374) 44641Cp : Ahasveros Soumokil

BIMA SAKTI MUTIARA, PT

Gedung Bidakara Lt 6 Jl. Gatot SubrotoKav. 71-73 , Jakarta Selatan 12760Telp : (021) 83793260Fax : (021) 83793258CP : Syamsoelbahri

BUDIAYA WAEGIO, UD

Jl. Raya Pluit Samudera No. 7Jakarta Utara 14450Telp : (021) 6692962, (021) 6346115Fax : (021) 6622910, (021) 6346117Pasir Hitam Desa Morus Pulau Waegio BaratKab. Raja Empat PapuaCP : Richard Sinaya

BUDIDAYA MUTIARATAMA INDONESIA (BUMI), PTJl. Raya Pluit Samudera No. 7Jakarta Utara 14450Telp : (021) 6692962, (021) 6346115Fax : (021) 6622910, (021) 6346117Pasir Hitam Desa Morus Pulau Waegio BaratKab. Raja Empat PapuaCP : Richard Sinaya

DAFIN MUTIARA, PT

Jl. Gedong Panjang No. 2-BDJakarta Barat 11240Telp : (021) 6918204 - 05Fax : (021) 6918206Jl. Dobo Kab. Maluku TenggaraTelp: (0917) 21088Fax: (0917) 21088CP: Korneles Teb

KOSUMA MUTIARA, PT

Jl. Pemuda No. 26 Mataram LombokNusa Tenggara BaratTelp : (0370) 641740Fax : (0370) 634410CP : Nursia C. Latumahina

CAHAYA CERMELANG, CV

Jl.Urip Sumoharjo No. 166 Makasar 90232Telp : (0411) 452670 - 71Fax : (0411) 452460CP : Harold Tandra

CAHAYA KEMILAU ABADI, CV

Jl. Pemuda No. 245 KolakaSulawesi TenggaraTelp : (0405) 22410Fax : (0405) 22410Jl. A. Yani No. 42 C-D KendariTelp : (0401) 395886 Fax : (0401) 395889CP : Herlina Vitus Horens

CENDANA INDO PEARL, PT

Jl. Waru No. 26 RawamangunJakarta Timur 13220Telp : (021) 4700409Fax : (021) 4892282ayu@bit.net.idCP : R.P. Poernomo

CHAMAR SENTOSA, PT

Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 136 KupangNusa Tenggara Timur 85119Telp : (0380) 83270Fax : (0380) 831044CP : Tony Pitoby

DISTHI KUMALA BAHARI, PT

Jl. Tirtayasa III/8 Jakarta SelatanTelp : (021) 7265477Fax : (021) 7232311dkbjkt@uninet.net.idCP : Indira Hartato

DUTA ARU INDAH, CV

Jl. Ikan Mujair No. 14 Surabaya Jawa TimurTelp : (031) 3559271Fax : (031) 3559036CP : Benny Gunawan

22 Equator - December 2011

Travel

With divine beaches, the majestic Mt Rinjani and spectacular marine life to discover, the island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara has no shortage of at-tractions both in and out of the water. It’s little wonder then that Lombok is the most popular destination in West Nusa Tenggara.

Come here to surf the massive breaks on the south coast. Challenge yourself with a trek up steep volcanic peaks. Hire a bike and cycle through lush evergreen rice paddies. Whichever way you choose to spend your time you won’t be disap-pointed with the spectacular natural beauty on offer here.

Best known resort area on the island is Senggigi, a township positioned on a sweeping bay that provides magnificent views of a blood red sunset over neigh-boring Bali. The view of this spectacular sunset is best enjoyed relaxing with a drink at one of the seafront restaurants or on a hill overlooking the bay.

Other visitors to Lombok choose to spend their time on one of the three Gili islands, - Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air - secluded tropical islands of stunning beaches, a short 20 minutes boat ride from Senggigi.

Located immediately east of Bali, the island of Lombok is separated by a deep trench that divides the Asian continen-tal shelf from the Australian shelf. Biolo-gist Alfred Wallace was the first to notice in the 19th century that Lombok’s flora and fauna differed from those on the western islands of the Indonesian archi-pelago. Since then the Wallace Line was drawn from the Lombok Straits north-wards up the Makassar Straits – separat-

ing Kalimantan from Sulawesi - , and on to the South China Sea.

Capital of Lombok and the West Nusa Tenggara province is the city of Mat-aram, which, in fact merges the towns of Ampenan, Mataram, Cakranegara and Bertais, that were once individual king-doms and townships. As from 1st. Octo-ber 2011, the new Lombok International Airport has started operations located in the south of Lombok, 40 km. south-east of Mataram, replacing the former Selaparang airport at Ampenan.

In the 16th century Lombok came to be ruled by the kingdom of Karangasem of east Bali and the town of Cakranegara became the home of the crown prince of Karangasem. Because of the Bali-nese conquest over the indigenous Sa-

sak people, a large part of Lombok has marked Balinese historic and cultural heritage, especially around the city of Mataram.

But, even before the arrival of the Ba-linese, an Islamic priest from Java, known as Sunan Giri had already proselyted a large part of the local Sasak population to Islam, and who until now adhere to what is called the Wektu Telu – or the three times for daily prayers, differing from the 5 times obligatory prayers in Islam. Wektu Telu is a religion unique to the Sasak on Lombok that blends Islam with old traditions and beliefs.

Today Lombok is also home to a minority of Hindu Balinese, as well as smaller numbers of Chinese, Javanese, Bugis and Arabs.

Lombok highlightsMOUNTAIN RINJANI

Lombok - the island of pearls

Mount Rinjani or Gunung Rinjani is an active volcano in Indonesia on the island of Lombok. Administratively the mountain is in the Regency of North Lombok.It rises to 3,726 metres (12,224 ft), making it the second highest volcano in Indonesia. On the top of the volcano is a 6 km by 8.5 km caldera, which is filled partially by the crater lake known as Segara Anak (Child of the Sea). This lake is approximately 2000 metres above sea level and estimated at being around 200 metres deep, and the caldera also contains hot springs.

Travel

Equator - December 2011 23

MOUNT RINJANI NATIONAL PARK

The mighty Rinjani mountain of Gu-nung Rinjani is a massive volcano which towers over the island of Lombok. A climb to the top is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have in Indonesia. At 3,726 meters tall, Gunung Rinjani is the second highest mountain in Indonesia. The climb to the top may not be easy but it’s worth it, and is widely regarded as one of the best views in the country.

Part of the famous ‘ring of fire’ this mountain also holds spiritual significance for the local people. It’s thought that the name Rinjani comes from an old Java-nese term for ‘God’. Around the slopes of Rinjani there are lush forests sprinkled with waterfalls and surrounded by stun-ning scenery.

Within the mountain is a crescent shaped lake, the breathtaking Segara Anak which is about 6km across at its wid-est point. This lake of sulfur is located 600 meters below the crater rim. Rising from the waters of this lake is a new volcano, Mt. Baru, which is a result of a series of eruptions during the 1990’s. Segara Anak is a spiritual place. The Balinese come here each year and perform a ceremony called pekelan where jewelry is placed in the lake as an offering to the mountain spirit. The Wetu Telu people also regard the lake as holy and come here to pray on full moon nights.

Mt Rinjani lies within the Gunung Rinjani National Park. The park covers 41,330 hectares and sits inside a major bio-geographical transition zone (Wallacea). This is where the tropical flora and fauna of South East Asia meets that of Austral-asia. This National Park was established in 1997 and is one of over 40 throughout Indonesia.

For visitors, the three-day Rinjani trek route from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the Crater Lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. More adventur-ous trekkers may want to head all the way to the summit of the volcano. This is best reached from Sembalun Lawang and takes four days, finishing up in Senaru.

Lombok highlights

AYAM TALIWANG

ROMANTIC BEACH DININGBeachside dining is very popular in Lombok. The attractive beaches and romantic sunsets all contribute to Lombok’s status as beach getaway, usually in Mataram or Senggigi.

GILI TRAWANGANGili Trawangan is the largest of Lombok’s Gili Islands and the only one to rise significantly above sea level. Measuring 3 km long and 2 km wide, it has a population of around 700.

PEARLS OF LOMBOKLombok pearl is freshwater pearl cultured in Lombok Island. They are almost as beautiful and as popular as natural or cultured saltwater pearls.

If you’re not afraid of fiery hot chili, try some of the special Lombok dishes. Ayam Taliwang is a spicy dish of fried or grilled chicken with a hot chili sauce and side dishes of vegetables.

24 Equator - December 2011

Embassy News

Indonesian Friendship Park at elementary school “Dragan Lukić”

On 8 December 2011, the Ambassador of Indonesia for Serbia, Mr. Semuel Samson has inaugurated the opening of “Friend-ship Park” at the Dragan Lukic Elementary School, in New Belgrade. The project of Friendship Park was accomplished by the collaboration of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade with environmental social organization “Ekovolonteri” in Belgrade, as well as cooperation from the Municipality of New Belgrade.

The Friendship Park project was initiated by Ekovolonteri based on the idea to establish cooperation between Foreign Em-bassies in Serbia with the local community through public schools, and in the same time campaign the students of the school the importance of living environment. The opening of the Friendship Park was marked with plantation of Evergreen tree by the Ambassador and the President of Municipality of New Belgrade, Mr. Nenad Milenkovic. The opening was then continued by pre-sentation from the Ambassador on the subject of Indonesia to the students and teacher of the Dragan Lukic Elementary School. The school currently is attended by more than 300 students and around 50 teaching staffs and was a pride for the Municipality, since the Dragan Lukic school was built in period of only 100 days.

Equator - December 2011 25

Embassy News

Activities

26 Equator - December 2011

Embassy News

Fastron expedition welcomed in Belgrade

On December 9, 2011, the Embassy in Belgrade accepted the arrival of Euro-Asia Expedition Team Fastron Metro TV in Serbia. The team previously had visited Sofia, Bulgaria for two days and continued on their way to Italy through Serbia, Hungary and Austria. Ex-pedition team was greeted by staff in the area Kalotina Embassy Belgrade, in Serbia-Bulgaria border door, to continue the journey to Belgrade, Serbia.

The expedition was conducted to promote Indonesia to the world, especially to the countries in the Silk Road route crossings. The Silk Road refers to a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world. The expedition team has traveled from Indonesia to Serbia using 4 Toyota Fortuner 4x4 vehicle, in which the engines are made in Indonesia, through various field trips including through a blizzard without a heater in the car and using ordinary tire made by PT. Gajah Tunggal, an expedition what most people considered impossible.

The expedition team consists of 13 men and 1 woman, consist of experienced car racers, doctors, as well as metro TV Indonesia journal-ist and camera person. The expedition team had the opportunity to be interviewed on the morning program at Studio B television, and then left for Toyota Center Belgrade to hold a press conference. At the Press conference, the team was greeted by Japanese Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Toshio Tsunozaki as well as Director of Toyota Serbia, Mr. Boban Radojicic. After the press conference, expedition team continued their journey around the city of Belgrade and visits some places that have historical value, especially regarding the conduct of the conference of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade, including the Houses of Parliament and the Presidential Palace of Serbia.

Continuing their journey, the expedition team stopped in downtown Belgrade, Knez Mihajlova precisely on the road, which is a spe-cial area for pedestrians, until the location of the relics of the Turkish fortress, Kalemegdan fortress. The team had the honor of the police and with the Belgrade city government granted special permission to bring vehicles to enter and expedition team cars were parked in the pedestrian zone. This incident gives additional interest to the public, where the four cars and a team photo shoot expeditions were targeted by the public, compliments and questions, including an interview with Radio Television Serbia - RTS.

Embassy in Belgrade the next day off the team’s departure to Budapest, Hungary which was preceded by lunch together as a thanks-giving and prayer for the success of the team in order to complete the mission until the finish line in Venice, Italy.

Equator - December 2011 27

Embassy News

Activities

28 Equator - December 2011

Embassy News

Indonesian Embassy participated in IWC Charity Bazaar

In order to raise funds for charitable social mission in Serbia, Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade along with the Civil Servant Wife Association (DWP) participated in the annual International Women’s Club (IWC) Charity Bazaar 11th in 2011 which held on Decem-ber 4, 2011, located in Hall 3 Sajam Fair, Belgrade. Bazaar this year was followed by some 39 countries through their accredited em-bassy in Serbia. Participants Bazaar in 2011 increased compared to the Bazaar in 2010, followed about 34 representatives of state.

Specifically in order to commemorate Indonesia Chairmanship in ASEAN for 2011, according to the theme carried to bring ASEAN to the global community, Indonesia this year along with the three representatives of ASEAN countries in Serbia, namely Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines, agreed to open the stand together in one area with 4 stand-up format form a large square, thus forming a unity of ASEAN countries in Serbia. Booth Unitary ASEAN countries have attracted the attention of the committee, participating countries and visitors because it provides a good example of cooperation and mutual support among the representa-tives of friendly countries. At the Bazaar, Indonesian stand and the ASEAN countries stand attracted much attention of visitors, in addition to its strategic location in the packaging and ASEAN, also because of the unique and beautiful decoration that are colorful, combining elements of Aceh, Java and Bali, unique designs of the souvenirs, beauty of the batik clothes, batik souvenirs, as well as the Indonesian traditional cuisines at the stand such as Nasi Goreng, Satay, Pastel, Lapis Legit, etc.

During the event that was fulfilled with joy and charity spirit, there were also many cultural performances from several countries. This year, Indonesian Embassy has presented the Balinese dance performed by members of Embassy’s dance school and then after was presented Javanese Mask Dance that was performed by Japanese cultural dance group as the contribution of the Embassy of Japan.

Equator - December 2011 29

Embassy News

30 Equator - December 2011

Embassy News

On December 6, 2011, the Ambassador of Indonesia for Serbia, Mr. Semuel Samson, and Embassy staff have attended the annual awards ceremony conferring the gold trophy “Amfora” given to the Embassy in Belgrade, the Cuban Embassy and the Embassy of Turkey, which is held by Yu Travel Magazine in Belgrade, Serbia.

The award is given to the three Foreign Representatives based on research and assessment of Yu’s Travel Magazine with the perpetrators of tourism in Serbia, has had significant achievements in the tourism promotion activities of each state in the country of accreditation Serbia, as evidenced by the increasing number of travelers to countries from Serbia and the region surrounding the listed travel agencies. As well as an appreciation for them (friendly country) that has helped it the name of Serbia in their respective countries by providing complete and good information about Serbia to the public in their respective countries.

On receipt of the award, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation to Yu’s Travel Magazine and other tourism actors in Serbia who has also provided support to the Embassy in Belgrade in every tourism promotion activities undertaken by the Embassy. On occasion, the ambassador also expressed regarding the success of cooperation between Panorama Kontiki Tours and travel in package tour 28 days running around Indonesia, which for the first time - in October - November 2011 ago - has been followed by 13 (thirteen) citizens of Serbia. With that success, the Ambassador to encourage other tourism agencies in Serbia to be able to make similar innovations, considering that Indonesia has more than 13,000 islands that each have a uniqueness, which would be very interesting to be explored further by foreign travelers as follow up of

Indonesian Embassy granted “Amfora” award from the magazine YU Travel

the Amfora Award, on December 7, 2011, the Ambassador of Indonesia for Serbia, Mr. Semuel Samson, held a meeting with the Director of Kontiki travel, Mr. Slobodan Micic. During the meeting, the Ambassador conveyed his congratulations and appreciation for the successful realization of Kontiki travel within 28 days of package tours around Indonesia, which the tour has visited the island of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Papua and Bali, for 28 days, travel about 36,000 miles, doing 17 times transit of plane. During the meeting with the participants of the 28 days tour, the participants has expressed their satisfactory, fascination, as well as admiration of Indonesia. They were very fascinated, especially in each of the islands cultures they saw during the tour, which are different from one island to another. Along the tour, the participants has the chance to experience by themselves, funeral procession, traditional wedding procession as well as some of the local cuisines provided by the local people.

The success of the 28 days tour program is an achievement and served as a good start in increasing the level of tourist from Serbia to Indonesia. Mr. Micic said that one factor that led to reduced levels of tourists from Serbia to Indonesia is due to the factor of the high price of airline tickets and factor of some natural disasters that occurred in Indonesia a few years ago. However, current flow of tourists from Serbia to Indonesia has gradually increased again, and Kontiki has designed a package of new tours to Indonesia, which will be launched in late 2011, as well as several other tour packages to Indonesia and neighboring countries which will be launched in January, February and April 2012.

Equator - December 2011 31

Embassy News

Wantannas delegation visited Serbia

Third traditional blood donation of the Indonesian Embassy

Starting from 12 to 15 December 2011 the delegation of the National Resilience Council of the Republic of Indonesia (Wantannas) visited Serbia. The delegation consisted of Brigadier General Dwi Soeprapto and Brigadier General TSL Toruan.

The purpose of the visit of Wantannas to Serbia was to perform a Comparative Study on Disintegration problem that happened in Serbia.

The Programs of the delegation of Wantannas were to make courtesy calls, among others, to the Serbian Government officials, the Friendship Groups of the Indonesian-Serbian in the Serbian Parliament, Senior Journalist of the News Agency Tanjug, Serbian religious leaders, representatives of minority ethnic groups at the Serbian Parliament, as well as to professor of the Faculty of Political Science.

On December 7, 2011, the staff of Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade and their spouses has marked the 12th Anniversary of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) organization by organizing the blood donation in the premises of Serbian Red Cross in Belgrade. This was the third donation by the staff of Indonesian Embassy that started since December 2010 and that has become one of routin social activities of Indonesian Embassy every December on the ocassion of anniversary of DWP and every August on the ocassion of Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

32 Equator - December 2011

Media

Otvoren Park prijateljstva OŠ “Dragan Lukić” i Ambasade Indonezije Park prijateljstva Osnovne škole “Dragn Lukić i Ambasade Indonezije otvoren je danas na Bežanijskoj kosi uz prisustvo Gorana Trivana, gradskog sekretara za zaštitu životne sredine, Samjuela Samsona, indonežanskog ambasadora, i Nenada Milenkovića, predsednika opštine Novi Beograd.

BLIC8 December 2011

U parku prijteljstva zasađeno 10 sadnicaTrivan je nakon otvaranja parka obišao stalnu izložbu fotografija posvećenu Indoneziji i u dvorištu škole zasadio deset stabala sa pomenutim gostima i predsednikom Udruženja građana „Ekolog” Milošem Markovicem.– Ovo je dobra prilika da pokažemo koliko je zaštita životne sredine i kulturološka stvar. Danas su se ove dve oblasti povezale u širenju međusobnog prijateljstva, kako među ljudima tako i među državama. Verujem da će stabla koja smo posadili biti spomenici prijateljstva sa Indonezijom, kao i naše zajedničke težnje da nam životna sredina bude još lepša. Radujemo se činjenici da mnoge ambasade žele da se priključe ovom projektu, što je ubedljiv dokaz da Beograd zaštitom životne sredine pokazuje da je širok, kosmopolitski grad – rekao je Goran Trivan. Samjuel Samson je izrazio veliko zadovoljstvo što se park prijateljstva nalazi u dvorištu prelepe škole, izgrađene za samo 100 dana, i najavio da je izložba posvećena Indoneziji samo početak, budući da bi u parku trebalo da budu predstavljene i druge nacije. Na taj način će buduće generacije biti poučavane da uspostavljaju prijateljstva širom sveta.Učenik petog razreda Nenad obećao je da će sa drugovima zalivati zasađena stabla i brinuti o izložbenim panoima.– Najbolja zaštita životne sredine je da se ne kidaju grančice sa ovih stabala i ne gazi trava oko njih. Ako to naučimo nećemo morati da gledamo kako naša deca sade nova i ponovo uređuju ovaj park – rekao je njegov drug Jovan Ranković.Projekat „Parkovi prijateljstva” realizuje se uz finansijsku podršku grada Beograda.

Indonežanska ekspedicija prolazi kroz Srbiju Indonežanska ekspedicija, koja je krenula iz glavnog grada Indonezije, Džakarte, 17. avgusta je stigla u Srbiju 9. decembra. Ekspedicija koristi Toyota vozila, pa je prigodna lokacija za predstavljanje ove ekspedicje bio Toyota Beograd prodajni salon. U prodajnom salonu Toyota Beograd, 10. decembra 2011, imali smo priliku da vidimo 14-članu indonežansku ekspedicija. Ekspedicija je krenula iz Džakarte 17. avgusta, a cilj ekspedicije koja nosi zvaničan naziv „Indonesia Euro Asia Expedition Tour” je da promoviše Indoneziju u svih 23 zemlje, koje će ekspedicija proći tokom 90-dnevnog putovanja.Ekspedicija obeležava 66 godina postojanja države Indonezija, a realizuje je turistička agencija „Yepe”, koja je specijalizovna za avanturističke ture. Članovi ekspedicije (13 muškaraca i jedna žena) su pratili put poznatog istraživača Marka Pola i po planu bi trebalo da prevale preko 27.000km. Cilj ekspedicije je u Italiji, a Srbija je jedna od završnih etapa putovanja.Ekspedicija koristi četiri Toyota vozila Fortuner, koja su, kako je vođa ekspedicije izjavio, sa lakoćom savladala sve prepreke na koje su tokom preko 20.000 pređenih kilometara naišli. Toyota Fortuner vozila sa 4x4 pogonom su pogonjena 2,7 litarskim benzinskim agregatima za koje je vođa ekspedicije, Bucek Depp, naglasio da su sa lakoćom radile čak i kada im je na raspolaganju bilo gorivo veoma lošeg kvaliteta (80 oktana, kako Dep navodi). Kompanija Pertamina Fastron je generalni sponzor ekspedicije i lubrikanti ove kompanije su korišćeni u svim sistemima vozila, pa je ova ekspedicija pored kulturnog karaktera imala i marketinški i istraživački aspekt za indonežansku naftnu kompaniju.Indonežansku ekspediciju je pored medija, zaposlenih u Toyota Srbija, članova ambasade Indonezije, dočekao i ambasador Japana u Srbiji, Tošio Cunozaki. Prisutnima se prvo obratio direktor Toyota Srbija, Boban Radoičić, a nakon njega je prisutne pozdravio i japanski ambasador, Tošio Cunozaki.Indonežanska ekspedicija i ostali prisutni su zatim imali priliku da pogledaju neke od srpskih tradicionalnih igara u izvedbi beogradskog KUD “Dimitrije Tucović”. Ekspedicija će obići Beograd i neke od značajnih kulturnih spomenika u Srbiji tokom narednih dana, pre nego nastavi put ka krajnjoj destinaciji - Italiji.

NACIONALNA KLASA11 December 2011

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Media

Evening of International Cuisine

Written by AdministratorWednesday, 21 December 2011 13:14 -

An  Evening  of  International Cuisine  at  the White  Palace, Belgrade,   13th   December, was  hosted   by   the   Royal Highnesses  Crown   Prince Alexander  II  and  Princess Katherine. A traditional  dinner  of  international  cuisine, was also held on Wednesday 14th  December, again  in  the White Palace.

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CORD21 Decembar 2011

IWC Charity Bazaar

Written by AdministratorWednesday, 21 December 2011 13:15 -

Many embassies participated with a stand at the IWC Christmas Charity Bazaar. The  event organized  by  the International  Women’s  Club  took place  in  Belgrade  Fair  -  Hall  5,  onDecember 4th. Guests at this year’s bazaar  were  provided  with  countless  opportunities  to buy  beautiful gifts and taste food and drinks from all  over  the  world,  many  of  them servedby ambassadors.

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CORD21 December 2011

EVENING OF INTERNATIONAL CUISINE

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

IWC CHARITY BAZAAR

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Many embassies participated with a stand at the IWC Christmas Charity Bazaar. The event was organized by the International Women’s Club that took place in Belgrade Fair - Hall 5, on December 4th. Guests at this year’s bazaar were provided with countless opportunities to buy beautiful gifts and taste food and drinks from all over the world, many of them served by ambassadors.

BEOGRAD - Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Indonezije dodeliće u 2012. godini stipendije za učenje indonežanske kulture i umetnosti kandidatima iz Srbije, saopšteno je iz Ambasade Indonezije u Beogradu. Program Stipendije za indonežansku umetnost i kulturu (IACS), sprovodi se od 2003. godine i u njemu su učestvovale države jugozapadnog pacifičkog dijaloga - Australija, Novi Zeland, Papua Nova Gvineja, Fili-pini, Timor Leste i domaćin Indonezija.“Imajući na umu dobre i dugogodišnje odnose između Indonezije i Srbije od vremena Jugoslavije i u cilju promovisanja kontakata između ljudi dve države, vlada Indonezije odnosno ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Republike Indonezije ponudiće program IACS za 2012. Srbiji”, navodi se u saopštenju.Stipendijama, koje se daju na period tri meseca, počevši od 31. marta do 13. jula 2012. godine, obuhvaćeni su mesečna nadoknada u iznosu od 150 evra, školarina, karta, smeštaj i zdravstveno osiguranje.Učesnici programa biće smešteni u Bandungu (Zapadna Java), Denpasaru (Bali), Makasaru (Južni Sulavezi), Solu (Centralna Java) ili Surbaji (Istočna Java).Rok za podnošenje prijava je 20. februar 2012 u Ambasadi Indonezije u Beogradu, dodaje se u saopštenju. (Tanjug)

MEDJUNARODNI RADIO SRBIJE16 Decembar 2011

STIPENDIJE ZAINDONEŽANSKU UMETNOST KANDIDATIMA IZ SRBIJE

An evening of International Cuisine at the White Palace, Belgrade, 13th December, was hosted by the Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Princess Katherine. The traditional dinner of international cuisine was also held on Wednesday 14th December, again in the White Palace.

34 Equator - December 2011

Photo News

AMBASSADOR’S ACTIVITIES

Reception on the ocassion of Armed Force Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Reception on the ocassion of Armed Forces Day of Ukraine

Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Finland

Reception on the ocassion of 40th Anniverssary of Uni Emirates Arab

Annual Traditional International Cuisine Dinner in Honour of the Diplomatic Corps hosted by HRH Crown Prince Aleksander and HRH Crown Princess Katherine

At the opening of Exhibition “Through Australian Eyes: Australian Civilian Work in Afghanistan”

Reception on the ocassion of HM Emperor of Japan Birthday

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Photo News

Courtesy visit to the Ambassador of Denmark, H.E. Mrs. Mette Kjuel Nielsen

At the cultural performance by the Japanese cultural group at the residence of Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Toshio Tsunozaki

Courtesy visit to the Apostolic Nuncio of Holy See, Archbishop Orlando Antonini

Dinner to bid farewell to Charge Affaires a.i. of Malaysia, Mr. Amizal Fadzli Bin Rajali

Dinner hosted by the Ambassador of Netherland, H.E. Mr. Laurent Louis Stokvis

Charity Dinner invited by Director of Belhospice, Zoran Purkovic

Courtesy visit to the Ambassador of Portugal, H.E. Mr. Caetano Luís Pequito De Almeida Sampaio

36 Equator - December 2011

Photo News

Interview with student of Phsychology from Belgrade University

Meeting with tha football trainer Mr. Miodrag Babic

Meeting the owner of Eurosalon, Mr. Branislav StojanovicAt the cocktail hosted by the President of Serbian Chamber

of Commerce, Mr. Milos Bugarin

Convention of Socialist Democratic Party in Belgrade

Meeting with the leaders of Islamic Community of Serbia, Mr. Adem Zilkic and Mr. Muhamed Jusufspahic

With the Director of Ice Cream Factory, Mr. Radosav Komadinic

Meeting with the technical assistance team from Indonesia

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Photo News

Dinner with the Wantannas delegation at the Ambassador’s residence

Fastron expedition at the Ambassador’s residence before continuing the trip to Hungary

Dinner with the Prof. Predrag Simic and Wantannas delegation Fastron team in front of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade

38 Equator - December 2011

Summary 2011

E Q U A T O RMONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

BELGRADE - SERBIA

We are just few steps ahead...

Equator - December 2011 39

Summary 2011

E Q U A T O R

40 Equator - December 2011

Summary 2011

Interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesiato the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson

How is the perspective of the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Serbia with regard to their role and position in the regional and international affairs ?Indonesia has a significant position in the international relation and in the multilateral fora due to its role in the important international and regional organizations such as NAM, OIC, ASEAN, G20, APEC, the D-8 Group (a Group of developing countries), Group of 77 with China, while according to the World Bank’ extrapolation, by the year 2020 Indonesia will be an industrialized country and the fifth largest economy in the world. On the other side, Serbia has a significant role too in the region of South East Europe and is the biggest country among the ex Yugoslav republics in the sense of natural resources, manpower and strategic position.The relations between our two countries go back a long way in the past, from the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung in 1955 and particularly after the First Summit of NAM in Belgrade in 1961, whose 50 years anniversary has been celebrated in Belgrade last September this year. Being both members of the Non-Aligned Movement, our two countries had been cooperating closely on many vital issues of common concern in the bilateral and multilateral fora. However, the disintegration of Yugoslavia had its own repercussion to our bilateral cooperation.Now we have indeed excellent bilateral relation particularly in the political domain. Such a close relation can be witnessed through various and rich bilateral activities this year – 2011 when we had more than 15 exchange of bilateral visits and the signing of 6 bilateral cooperation, three in the economic field, one in the military field and two in the field of education. The first Indonesia-Serbia Bilateral Interfaith Dialogue (ISBID), which has been held in Belgrade last April, will be continued with the Second ISBID to be held in Indonesia in April 2012. Such rich activities should be followed in other domains particularly in the economic one. We cannot say that, at present, we are happy to witness the state of our bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism, socio and culture and even in the military cooperation.

Serbia and Indonesia have many similarities, among other things, the two countries are the multi ethnic and multi religious ones. How is the prospect of the solution of Kosovo’s issue from Indonesia’s viewpoint ?As multi-ethnic and multi religious countries, Indonesia and Serbia face similar challenges in the endeavour to achieve respective development goals, to enhance the living standards of their people and but also to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state. With regard to the Kosovo issue, from the beginning Indonesia supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia. The solution of the Kosovo issue should be based on the principle of peaceful solution and compromise, which respects to the legitimate and interest of both side and accepted by the two sides. We are convinced that the principle of dialogue, consultation and respect to the legitimate interest of each side, the avoidance of the use of force for the stability of every side and the stability of the region for the sake of prosperity of the peoples of all sides, will serve all of us in good stead. The development and economic dynamism may be said to be the fruit of peace. The desire to perpetuate this dynamism should motivate the countries of the region to nurture this still fragile peace and make it durable. It will not be easy, since the region is by no means free of tension and the anxiety of potential conflict. We hope that reconciliation in the region can be reached so that a stable relationship among the countries in the region can be expected and can be evolved in the years ahead. We believe that the democratic Serbia, who bases its struggle on its constitution, the principle of the will of its people and the principle of good neighbourly relation, will be able to reach a proper and fair solution.

What is the main objective that is bestowed to you by the Indonesian Government ?The improvement in our economic performance is an objective that is contained and has been duly placed in the main tasks and functions of representatives and the Head of Mission as one tool in achieving national development goals through the development of economic cooperation in the dimensions of bilateral, regional and international levels. In this era of globalization and the dynamics of an increasingly interconnected world, economic issues increasingly dominate the relations between countries in the world. It is increasingly felt at this time where the Western world is experiencing an economic crisis, economic growth has matured (tends to saturation) and high economic costs. In order to overcome the slowdown and stagnation that occurs in these markets, diversion of attention or efforts are required to find an alternative to new markets through the development strategy of non-traditional markets that are dynamic, capable of (comparative or competitive) and are constantly evolving, such as Serbia.

What is your policy in managing activities for the achievement of the above-mentioned goal ? In line with the things mentioned above, we have consciously put the question of economic development cooperation as a Key Performance Indicator of the Embassy in Belgrade as set forth in the Strategic Plan of the Indonesia Embassy in Belgrade from 2011 to 2013. The Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade patterns of activities (both within the scope of internal and external), are deliberately put to be a productive representative to produce concrete achievements through new breakthroughs, the development of working culture “directly involved” or “hands on”, “business unusual”, pro-active, full of initiative, courage to act, performance-oriented, dare to be responsible, stick to the rules and leader’s policy, as well as carry out the inherent functional supervision.

With the management that you are applying, what are the results in 2011 ?For the year 2011, in the economic sphere, the Embassy has achieved some very positive results. As I mentioned before, we managed to sign 3 bilateral Agreements in the field of economic cooperation, promotion and the protection of investment and the avoidance of double taxation. Furthermore, the visit of business delegation of both countries are significantly increase in quality, when the Indonesian Vice Minister of

Equator - December 2011 41

Summary 2011

Trade accompanied by the Indonesian Eximbank, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and some companies such as Sinar Mas Group, BT Cocoa and Indofood represented by Indo Serbia Food, attended the 78th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. To balance that, some Serbian business people were attending the Trade Expo in Indonesia, where some business prospects are being discussed. In the field of bilateral trade exchanges, we saw some significant result in the increasing trade volume of 22% in 2011.

What is the next strategic event for the Embassy ?In order to maximize the efforts and activities of the Embassy, the optimal shape of support in the spirit of Indonesia Incorporated of various stakeholders, and business interests in Indonesia, are needed since the Embassy has its own limitations. For the next participation at the 79th International Agricultural Fair in May 2012 in Novi Sad, we are inviting an active participation from various Indonesian stakeholders and business communities in Indonesia. With the spirit of Indonesia Incorporated, as we have done during last year’s Fair, we are convince that the Indonesian participation this year will be more dynamic and successful for the foundation of Indonesia’s status as an overseas partner for 2013. With the basis that we have, as I mentioned above, I am sure that in the near future, there will be an increase in “P to P” and “B to B” contact. To further promote those expectations, we are trying to expand the visa regime existed today, to also include a free visa for all passport holders, besides the holder of official and diplomatic passports. To further promote “B to B” contact, we are intensifying the effort of promoting the potentials of both countries, inviting the Indonesian business communities and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce to visit and explore the market of Serbia and the region (that include 800 million people through Serbian preferential and free trade arrangements with other countries), and on the other hand to invite Serbian business people and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce to visit Indonesia and to make Indonesia as a foothold to enter ASEAN and Asian markets.

In the year of 2011, the Embassy activities especially in the socio cultural section are increasing double than the years before, what is the reason for this? And what is the aim of those activities ?After I arrived here in Serbia in November 2010, I immediately did a market research on Serbia’s potentials and compare it to the Embassy work program. Serbia as a land-locked country, hold various kinds of potentials, such as its strategic location geographically as it borders directly with many other countries such as Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and many others. With such a position, I am sure I can make Serbia as a “hub” to enter the market to its other neighbors.For the year of 2012, the Embassy will still continue its mission to strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Serbia, especially through social and cultural. Why? That is because we believe that a good relationship must be started at the basic level, “people to people contact”, that is, the society in their daily life. After we gain a good understanding among the society, then we can continue in the higher level, that is the policy maker level. The Embassy will hold many activities in the field of socio cultural, such as participation in the International Fair of Tourism, Indonesian musical performance, promotion of Indonesia tourism through “Wonderful Indonesia”, the Embassy will also hold Indonesian culinary week, etc. In the field of education, in cooperation with Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, the Embassy will promote art and cultural scholarship, Darmasiswa scholarship and KNB scholarship for master program. We will also starting to implement the cooperation that has been established between the University of Belgrade with Pajadjaran University in Bandung and Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta in the form of an exchange of students, professors, researchers, as well as conduct joint seminars, etc. Moreover, on the year 2012 the Embassy will continue on the work of establishing cooperation in the field of sport between Indonesia and Serbia that was left off in 2011. Serbia as the country of world’s no. 1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic, has left its mark in the world of sport. Beside tennis, Serbia has also proven the quality of its athletes in the International world of sports, such as in the handball sport, water polo, football, and many more.

How is the current condition of the Military Cooperation between Indonesia and Serbia ?The cooperation between Indonesia-Serbia during my mandate as an Ambassador in Serbia is entering the period where the MoU between Indonesia-Serbia was signed in September 2011 in Jakarta. This historical momentum has giving both sides a “legal umbrella” of many possibilities of Defence cooperation such as: Transfer Technology, Exchange of Military personnel, Exchange of the Intelligence Information, and other field of Defence that can be explored. The signing of MoU has open opportunities and advantages to Indonesia in some fields, such as: Indonesia will receive technology that can be used to advance the Strategic Defence Industry, which is in line with the policy of the House of the Representative of the Republic of Indonesia as a policy maker. Serbia has the technology, with NATO’s and Russian standard, so the Defence Armed Forces of Indonesia (TNI) can have an alternative of Defence System with a good standard and quality but at the same time at a competitive price than the other country in the region. Many things can be learned from Serbia, especially about the history of conflicts that happen recently. Indonesia can take it as a “lesson learnt” and do a preventive strategy to face the same problem if persists in Indonesia.MoU that was signed in 2011 should take a good impact in the field of economy, politic and defence. In the political field, it can be seen shortly by the support to each other in the International forum on some issues. In the economic field, by the increasing of the exchange personnel and transfer of technology, it will enhance also the capabilities of the personnel and the defence systems that can be offered to other countries. Serbia has the technology while Indonesia has the capabilities and resources to make it. This collaboration will bring both sides to be one of a key player in term of Defence Technology.

Your Excellency, what is your last message ?I am convinced Indonesia and Serbia can further improve their partnership relationship into the future, because since the beginning of the relationship of both nation and country has been built on a foundation of strong base, namely based on principles of mutual understanding, mutual respect and mutual help or support. We do hope in 2012 exposure to the two peoples and countries in perspective “G to G”, “B to B” and “P to P” will be more real, measurable, quality, sustainable, strategic and long-term. I think this is the right way to give a price to the quality friendships that last long, full of romance and friendly.I would like to use this opportunity to convey a thank you to the various parties in Serbia and in Indonesia which has involved helping the success of various activities and programs of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade in 2011, I do hope they will continue to give the same support given there will be an increased in activities and programs in 2012 and the years to come, hvala lepo – terima kasih !

42 Equator - December 2011

Summary 2011 - Embassy News

January 2011

Presenting Credentials to the President of the Republic of SerbiaIndonesian Ambassador to Serbia Semuel Samson has presented the Letter of Credentials to the President of the Republic of Serbia, His Excellency Mr. Boris Tadić on January 21, 2011, in Belgrade. After the handing of the Credentials, the Indonesian Ambassador was received by the Serbian President to discuss issues of mutual concern that should be reached in the future which has proceeded in a very cordially sphere. After ceremony, the Ambassador has layed a wreath in Avala monument to honour the failed heroes for liberty.

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Embassy News - Summary 2011

January 2011

Indonesian School in Belgrade launcheddistance-learning program

The Indonesian School in Belgrade that has been established in 1967, has started from January 17, 2011, a new on-line study program for all Indonesian pupils in the region who are interested to follow the study program from several subjects. To this new program has applied 31 new pupils from Sofia (Bulgaria), Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungaria), Bratislava (Slovak Republic), Prague (Czech Republic) and Wien (Austria).

Today, there are fifteen Indonesian schools registered in the world and three among them are in Europe; Belgrade, Moscow and The Hagues. Through the Indonesian School in Belgrade has studied many generations and many of them has now become succesful people in their fields.

The Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade believes this new program of studies will increase in the future and gain more new pupils from many other countries.

44 Equator - December 2011

Summary 2011 - Embassy News

February 2011

Indonesia promotes tourism destinationsat the 33rd International Fair of Tourism inBelgrade

The close connection of historical background and common mentality of Serbia’s and Indonesia community has become the driving factor to increased economic cooperation, particularly the development of the tourism sector. It was announced by Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia Mr. Semuel Samson, in connection with the participation of Indonesia in the 33rd International Fair of Tourism, held in Belgrade, Serbia, on 24- 27

February 2011.The exhibition was followed by nearly

900 exhibitors from 43 countries, which rose 30 percent from a year ago. Indonesia has been a regular participant to this Fair for the past 8 years. Ambassador Samuel Samson, said these bases is what distinguish the importance of seeing the Serbian market as access for the development of Indonesian tourism, where a positive image of Indonesia is created by the close history background.

Indonesian Embassy’s participation to this Fair brings a more significant impact with the presence of Representative from Indonesia’s national tour operator “Panorama Tours” which already establishes its business in Serbia for the past 6 years.

Also, the presence of delegation from Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism

has helped collect important assets that could be achieved for further promotion of

Indonesia in this region.The Fair was opened the Deputy

Minister of Economy and Development Zone, Goran Petkovic who pledge Serbia’s special theme

of tourism promotion of Danube River as river uniting Europe, a meeting point of various nations and cultures. Petkovic said that tourism in Serbia increasingly active, as evidenced by the increasing number of foreign tourists, which does not happen last year in many countries, due to the crisis.

According to Serbian tourism strategy in 2011, the Danube strategy is believed to be more actively supported by the visa-free countries and the development of tourism

facilities in Serbia. Apart from the global crisis that hit the tourism sector in 2010 where it is most felt by the Serbia, this year’s exhibition still invites more participants.

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Embassy News - Summary 2011

February 2011

Increase participants to this Fair was resulted as part of the visa exemption which allows a lot of visitors in different countries to visit Serbia, the enactment of new flight routes, the modernization of roads, construction of inns and hotels and other tourism facilities in Serbia due to the EU integration process. Tourism exhibition in Belgrade is considered to provide a greater impact than a similar exhibition took place in Central Europe and the Balkans. Panorama Tours is present and working with local partners in Belgrade during the exhibition and explore cooperation with several other travel agents.

In order to facilitate and give more shape and a real commitment in private sector development efforts, the Embassy held a meeting to-face with representatives from local travel agents who become partners Panorama Tours and other travel in order to explore some broader cooperation. The meeting was guided by the Ambassador who conveys commitment to assist the private sector in obtaining a more significant tourism market. In this context, cooperation that has been established by Panorama and travel agents in Serbia able to provide increased flow of tourists from Serbia and the European Central / Eastern Indonesia. Serbia’s strategic position in Central Europe and its access are an important reason in developing national airlines cooperation of both countries in order to get further benefits in arranging tourism sectors. The Indonesian market is showing its potential from year to year and always have its selling and private sector felt that its potential that should be developed.

This year, Indonesia booth carries a theme of Aquatourism and displays various tourist destinations of aquamarine activities in Bunaken, Wakatobi, Raja Ampat, Gili Islands and others. During the Fair, the embassy has distributed questionnaires to the visitors who come to know about Indonesia and who had visited Indonesia. Of 289 questionnaires filled, 42 people claim they have been to Indonesia, 247 people have never been to Indonesia but would like to go to Indonesia, while 69 people did not know about Indonesia.

During the exhibition, the alumnus Darmasiswa Embassy of Serbia to help promote tourism destination areas of Indonesia in telling their experiences and attract visitors.

46 Equator - December 2011

Summary 2011 - Embassy News

March 2011

Annual meeting of Serbia and IndonesiaFriendship Association “Nusantara”On the ocassion of Annual Meeting of Serbia-Indonesia Friendship Association “Nusantara” on March 24, 2011, at the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, the Ambassador Semuel Samson had the honour to open the meeting and delivered a speech. The Ambassador Semuel Samson extend the members of the Association his gratitude for the support and inputs of the Association to the Indonesian Embassy all of these years. Also, he stated that the year 2011 will be a significant year for Indonesia and Serbia based on exellent relations and cooperation over 50 years, which will be marked with several important events and activities. The Ambassador has extended the members of the Association that the role of them are also important in the effort of increasing the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Serbia, especially this year, when the Non Aligned Movement will mark its 50th year Anniversary in Indonesia on May and in Serbia on September 2011.

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Embassy News - Summary 2011

March 2011

Indonesia paragliding athletes won significant victories in the “Paragliding Accuracy World Cup - PGAWC” in Vrsac, Serbia, from March 25 to 27 March 2011. This world championship in Serbia is the third series of the 6 series championship in 2011. The 1st series was held in Trakai, Lithuania (11-13 February 2011), the 2nd series in Austria (18-20 March 2011), the 3rd series in Serbia (25-27 March 2011), the 4th series in Indonesia (3-5 June 2011), The 5th series in Malaysia (10-12 June 2011), and the last series will be held in Germany (19-21 September 2011).

Indonesian Paragliding Team Manager, Gendon Subandono said Indonesia Paragliding team plans to follow the entire series available in 2011 in order to obtain and retain his world paragliding champion.

Indonesian women athletes successfully come as first, second, and third winner in this championship. In group category, the Indonesian team which is divided into two teams, won first place (Eagle Team) and third place (Garuda Team). First ranked female athlete to this world championship is Milawati Sirin (score 106), Ifa Kurniawati (score 616), and Lis Andriana (score 730). For group category, Indonesia managed to put the Eagles Team at first and third place in the world. Eagles Team consists of Johnny Effendi, Nana Sunarya, Nor Effendi Ichsan, and Hening Paradigma. As for the Garuda Team consists of Thomas Widyananto, Revelation Yudha, Dede Misbah, and Dede Supratman. Second place was taken by Bulgaria team.

World Paragliding Accuracy Championship Landing Category is participated by 104 participants from 13 countries, namely Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Slovakia, Croatia, and England.

Indonesia team consisted of 18 male athletes, 8 female athletes, and 4 team official, making overall total of 30 athletes. This team follows the national team selection process for Indonesia paragliding to the SEA Games 2011, and expected to repeat the success of paragliding as the Asean Beach Games I / 2008, which contributed 7 gold from total 23 gold

RI’s national paragliding team won medals in Vršac

medals.The arrival of Indonesian paragliding

team to Serbia to attend the championship has become one of Indonesia promotional activities. The victory of the team also received coverage in local media, especially Sportski Zurnal, and other print media as Blic.

Indonesian Ambassador in his speech, both on arrival and departure convey to the team that the success and achievements that have been obtained in the championship in Serbia and Austria should be used as boosters for success in the upcoming championship. Indonesian Ambassador stressed the need for the resurrection of the sport at international level in order to provide the new image and identity of Indonesia sport.

Ambassador Semuel Samson submit appeals and referrals for continued effort in improving human resources in sport, especially in paragliding, so that Indonesia would be victorious through this sport and assist for the awakening of other sports in various international championships. This is among the reasons why the composition of Indonesian athletes of paragliding team came in large number, to reach the maximum achievement. If the same maximum concentration could be given for various other sports, it is expected that similar things could apply equally to the increasing achievement of sport in the country. Ambassador and staff of the Embassy also participate at the championship in Vrsac.

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April 2011

1st Indonesia-Serbia Bilateral Interfaith Dialogue (ISBID)

On the 6-10 April 2011 the Indonesia-Serbia Bilateral Interfaith Dialogue had been organized in Belgrade, Serbia. The activities in the dialogue includes i.a. seminars, courtesy visits to the Minister of Religion and the Diaspora of Serbia and the members of the Serbian Parliament who are incorporated in the Indonesia-Serbia Parliamentary Friendship Group; Press Conference; Meeting with the leaders of the Muslim Community of Serbia as well as Rector of the University of Belgrade and the signing of the MOU between the two institutions with Islamic State University of Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta; public lecture at the Faculty of Theology, University of Belgrade; and meeting with the Indonesian community in Belgrade.

The Indonesia Delegation consisting of the Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Andri Hadi; Secretary General of the Ministry of Religion of Indonesia, Bahrul Hayat, Ph.D; Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia for the Republic of Serbia, Semuel Samson and Prof. Dr. Komaruddin Hidayat (Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah) as the resource person/Speaker; Prof. Dr. I Made Titib (Rector of the Hindu Dharma Institute, Denpasar, Bali); Abdul Fatah Muchit (Head of the Center of Religious Harmonization); Pastor Dr. Margaretha Hendriks-Ririmasse ( Proffesor/lecturer, Christian University in Ambon, Maluku); Father Dr. Heru Prakosa (Professor at the Faculty of Theology University of Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta, Java); Adolfina Koamesakh (Representative of Orthodox Church in Medan, Sumatera) and Trias Kuncahyono (Deputy Editor and Chief of KOMPAS daily).

Before the program began, Indonesian Delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Religion and Diaspora of Serbia, Mr. Srdjan Sreckovic. Mr. Srdjan Sreckovic expressed his appreciation for the implementation of the event. According to him, both countries have an important role in encouraging the universal values contained in the Non Alignment Movement. Depart from the spirit; hopefully the interfaith dialogue between the two countries can also promote the inter-civilization harmony. On the ocassion, the Director General of IPD expressed the hope that this activity will not be a mere dialogue, but to become a dialogue to strengthen the cooperation between civil societies of the two countries.

On the 7 April 2011, the Inter-Religious Dialogue took place at the Palace of Serbia, a historical building which is also the venue of the first Non-Aligned Summit in 1961. More than 200 people attended the event, consisting of Government officials of Serbia; Leading figures from various religions in Serbia including the highest leadership of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej who is very influential among both communities and Government of Serbia; Academic circle; Media; Diplomatic Corps and Serbia-Indonesia Friendship Association “Nusantara”. The theme was “Building collaborative Communities: Strengthening civil society and Inter-Religious Cooperation for Development”.

The activities began with a welcome reception and opening speech by the Minister of Religion and the Diaspora of Serbia, Mr. Srdjan Sreckovic who explained that the Indonesia-Serbia Bilateral Interfaith Dialogue is very important especially considering the structure of the Indonesian society that is Islam majority and Serbia that is of Orthodox majority so it is possible to exchange knowledge between the two countries about how to manage the diversity well. This dialogue became a field to perform a variety of cooperation in various fields. Minister Sreckovic also specifically mentioned about the possibility of cooperation in the field of halal products. Relationships betweeen Indonesia and Serbia that have existed so far are believed to speed up and simplify the cooperation between the two countries.

Serbian GovernmentMinistry of Religion and the Diaspora

of the Republic of Serbia

1st Indonesia - Serbia Bilateral Interfaith Dialogue (ISBID)

Republic of IndonesiaMinistry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia

Belgrade, 6-10 April 2011Palace of Serbia

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April 2011

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May 2011

Indonesia participated at 78th International Agriculture Fair in Novi Sad

From 14 – 21 May 2011, the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade attended the 78th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, Serbia. The Embassy’s Participation in this Fair is a manifestation of the mission as stated in the Indonesian Embassy Strategic Plan 2011 - 2013, namely to increase bilateral ties with Serbia in all fields, especially economic and trade and also the manifestation of a very close and warm bilateral relations between Indonesia and Serbia. To further strengthen our bilateral economic and trade cooperation, the Embassy made several strategic, comprehensive, integrative and concrete steps in the level of G to G, B to B and P to P.

In order to describe the mission, a major concept that consists of various stages needed in drawing a roadmap as guidance in the implementation of activities to achieve an increase of economic and trade bilateral relations. Those initial stages are: An approach to policyholders and interests and the business communities, in both Serbia and Indonesia; The visits to the ports of Koper in Slovenia and Rijeka in Croatia. The initial stages are designed to achieve strategic purposes as a foothold in such as: To realize a common perception; The creation of a favorable business climate; Brings about the relevant parties on both sides and mapping the entrances for Indonesian commodities and products to Serbia and the region. The next concrete stage of various approaches mentioned above is by promoting the potential of both countries that are complementary and not in competition. Since both countries are an “agricultural countries”, the 78th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, Serbia is a very significant event for the purpose. The Embassy’s participation during 2011 Agricultural Fair was the second time in a row and considered as the only Asian countries with direct participation.

The participation are intended to bring about the Indonesian business people to see directly the potential market of Serbia, the Balkan region, Central and East European, to promote the finest Indonesian agricultural commodities and products and to

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May 2011encourage closer cooperation between companies to companies through the facilitation of both Chambers of Commerce. To be able in bringing direct participation of the Indonesian business people, the Indonesian booth should be different compares to the last year booth. The booth should be: More business attractive and friendly; Informative and eye catching; A clear message of the themes and design; Featuring a minimalist design but modern and functional; The laying order of images and lighting, and spatial planning which dominated by white color in the background should reflect the concept mentioned above.

Dissemination of strategic information on the various steps that have been and going to implemented and its significant manifestations through the participation in the Fair, to the Indonesian stakeholders and business communities, is a next strategic stage that should be guarded closely. Activities during this stage are concentrated in the distribution of letters and working visit to Jakarta in order to have direct contact with the Indonesian stakeholders and business communities. The main purposes of this stage are: To supply information to the Indonesian stakeholders and business communities on the real potential of Serbia, the Balkan, Central and East European market; To convince the seriousness of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade in facilitating both needs and offers; To urge the participation of the Indonesian stakeholders and business communities at the Fair and to inform about the readiness of the Serbian business communities in expanding economic and trade relations with their Indonesian counterpart.

Further thought needs to be specifically categorized the commodities and products that are going to be display in the booth so as not to deviate from the target and remain within the main strategy lines. Products and commodities that appear on the Indonesian booth this time are commodities and products superior in terms of production rank in the world. The main intention in categorizing the agricultural commodities and products are: To selectively choose the finest Indonesian agricultural commodities and products; To selectively choose the Indonesian agricultural commodities and products that have potential market in Serbia, the Balkan, Central and East Europe; To selectively choose the finest Indonesian agricultural commodities and products those are competitive in the world market.

The results of active communication, strategic approaches and efforts, some Indonesian key actors in the agricultural field, such as the Sinar Mas Group, BT Cocoa and Indo Serbia Food attended the Fair. The presence of the Vice Minister of Trade, Mr. Mahendra Siregar, who accompanied by the Director of Agriculture and Forestry Products Export, Ministry of Trade, Indonesia Eximbank, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the representatives of Indonesian businesspersons from Sinar Mas Group, BT Cocoa and Indo Serbia Food, adds weight to the participation of Indonesia at the Agricultural Fair 2011.

During the presence of the Indonesian Vice Minister of Trade, various meetings and discussions with relevant parties of Serbia are arrange with the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management; the Serbian Chamber of Commerce; the City Council and the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Novi Sad and the Institute for Field and Vegetables Crops, NS Seme, before visiting the Indonesian booth. These strategic moves are design to: Get the Serbian and Indonesian policy holders more acquainted; Field visits and review of the Serbian major business-related and cut and shorten the contact point between entrepreneurs of both parties. With the general theme “Remarkable Indonesia Products” and the above activities, the Indonesian booth won an award for the stand with the best Visualization Identity.

During the field tour after the opening of the Fair, H.E. Mr. Boris Tadic, the President of Serbia, stop by the Indonesian booth and have a discussion with the Indonesian Ambassador and the Indonesian business people who attended the Fair. The visit is a reflection of a close relation between Indonesia and Serbia and a commitment in enhancing bilateral future cooperation.

The participation of the Embassy at the 78th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad is not the end of a process, but should be followed-up to gain maximum benefits for both Indonesia and Serbia. Subsequent stages for the Embassy after

participating at the Fair are: To encourage and facilitate the initial business contact between the Serbian and Indonesian business communities; To nurture until both parties find a common solution that are mutually benefiting; Urging the policy stakeholders either in Serbia or Indonesia to support and gives favourable business climate in order to intensify business to business contact amongst Serbia and Indonesia; Urging a direct participation of the Indonesian companies in the next International Agricultural Fair, as a logical expectation for a better and comprehensive attendance of the Indonesian business communities; Acting as a facilitator for the success of an Indonesian booth in the spirit of “Indonesian Incorporated”.

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June 2011

Humanitarian performance “Aceh in Belgrade”On 26th of December 2004, tsunami hit the

westernmost part of Indonesia, in the province of Aceh. Tsunami had struck and devastated the province and killed hundreds and thousands of people in Aceh itself and a quarter of a million people in 13 countries. Today, six years has passed, Aceh province has made a remarkable recovery. Rebuilding had been impressive in Aceh thanks to the help of the international communities.

In sharing this development, the performance was held on 24 June 2011 in Kolarac Foundation in Belgrade, to prove that courage and strength is the winning element in this life. We are proud to present you the performer “Sanggar Tari Cut Nyak Dhien” from the province of Aceh. This cultural group has hold their tour in Balkan region from June to July 2011 and had a chance to perform in Belgrade within the cooperation of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Belgrade, Belgrade City Assembly and Ilija M. Kolarac Foundation. Therefore, we would like to convey our utmost appreciation and thanks to Mayor of Belgrade for his support in making tonight’s performance a true gathering and particularly to Kolarac who has helped us provide the venue for organizing the event.

Cultural Group “Cut Nyak Dhien” is a traditional Acehnese dance group that has existed for more than 30 years and has been invited and performed all over the world. As the heart of Serbia, Belgrade has its privilege for many visits of international musical and dance group. “Sanggar Tari Cut Nyak Dhien” also use their opportunity here to perform in one of the most vibrant city in Balkan. The performance is dedicated to spread a new message of Aceh, about hope, courage and strength which has save this province from the great effect of natural disaster. The performance was dedicated as a humanitarian effort to raise donations for organization Ashinaga in Japan and Red Cross of Serbia.

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July 2011

Activities facing the celebration of the 66th Independence of the Republic of Indonesia

On the ocassion of the forthcoming 66th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the month of July was marked with several sport and social activities that was participated by all Indonesians living in Belgrade, friends of Indonesia, members of the Friendship Association of Indonesian and Serbia “Nusantara” and members of the Embassies from the ASEAN countries. Every year, just a few weeks before the 17 of August, in Indonesia and also abroad, the Indonesian citizens celebrate the most important national day of Indonesia through many creative and unique activities, all in the spirit of unity and togetherness.

This year, in respect to the Ramadhan in the month of August, Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade has organized the activities a month earlier through six activities and those were the tournaments in badminton and table tennis, domino cards, bowling, folk’s festive and blood donation.

The last, but the biggest activity, on the ocassion of 66th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, was the Folk’s Festive (Pesta Rakyat) that has been the culmination of all the activities during the month of July. The Folk’s Festive gathered around over 180 people, beside the staff of the Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian community and their families, the event was participated also by many close friends of Indonesia as well as from the Embassies from ASEAN countries. After the warming up session, the ‘Fun Walk’ was started with Ambassador’s releasing the red and white balloon with the text “I LOVE INDONESIA” up to the sky.

As the main part of the program was the celebration of the Indonesian Children’s Day that is commemorate every year on 23rd of July. The Indonesian Ambassador has gathered with over 70 children and had the ‘question and answer’ game which has been very attractive to the children and has gain their attention very closely. After this gathering with Ambassador, the Indonesian Children’s Day was marked with special children’s program with clown and magician, later followed with fun games such as eating the donats on the string, entering the pencil to the bottle, etc. At the end of the children’s program, all the children has received the presents.

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August 2011

First ASEAN flag raised on the ocassion of the 44th Anniversary of ASEAN

Based on the guidelines for ASEAN flag rising, the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, on August 8, 2011, has held a hoisting of the ASEAN flag and followed by a simple reception. ASEAN flag hoisting took place at 09.00, held in the courtyard of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade as the host (refer to the chairmanship of Indonesia in ASEAN), accompanied by representatives of ASEAN in Belgrade (Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines). The event was attended by invitees from the ASEAN dialogue partners (China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, Pakistan, and Russia); international organizations (UN Office in Belgrade and UNDP Belgrade Office), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and the news media.

The event was followed by a brief remark from the Indonesian Ambassador to Serbia, on behalf of ASEAN representatives in Belgrade. In his remark, the Indonesian Ambassador to Serbia pointed out that according to the theme of the ASEAN Community in the Global Community of Nations, it is an appropriate time to propagate the vision, purposes, accomplishment and values of ASEAN to various stake holders and communities in the accredited countries and the celebration of ASEAN Day is the first pole which has strategic values for Serbia and ASEAN as well. After a joint photo session, the event was followed by a reception, featuring varieties of simple special ASEAN snacks to the invitees.

The ASEAN Day Celebration in Belgrade, received a warm appreciation from various communities (Diplomatic, Foreign Ministry and the Serbian media) since it was the first to be held in Serbia. It will be a stepping stone among the representatives of ASEAN countries in Belgrade, to further promote various subject about ASEAN in line with ASEAN’s “reaching out” goal-oriented. The initiation about ASEAN, which is a region with approximately 600 million populations and a dynamically growing economy, providing an opportunity for Serbia to utilize it. As for ASEAN, Serbia has a strategic position with its various agreements / trade arrangements with various countries / regional organizations (CEFTA, EU, U.S., Russia and Turkey) that should be developed as an entry point of various ASEAN products and services to Europe.

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August 2011

Celebration of Eid ul-Fitr 1432 H at the premises of Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade

On 30th August 2011, muslims all over the world celebrate Eid Ul-Fitr 1432H. Eid ul-Fitr, as a muslim holiday for celebration of conclusion of 30 days of fasting from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadhan. Before the celebration of Eid Ul-Fitr, Muslims all over the world are oblige to fast from dawn to sunset. During the fasting, muslims are not allowed to eat, drink, vomit on purposely, and having sexual activities. The fasting is as a mean of people’s obedience towards God and also as a way to restrain oneself from bad deeds. According to the Hadits, observing the Ramadhan is not an obligatory for children, expecting and brestfeeding mothers, as well as elderly people, as for menstruating women, it is forbidden to undergo fasting during Ramadhan, and they will have to fast on the other day. During the holy month of Ramadhan, Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid carry out any bad deeds. The fasting itself is said as an effort to pure one’s heart and soul from sins and as a reminder for the people to the existence of the afterlife.

On this occasion, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia also celebrate Eid ul-Fitr in the Embassy and in the Ambassador residence. The celebration began with the Eid prayer that took place at the Embassy’s “Pancasila” hall. The prayer that consist of two units (raka’ah) was attended by around 30 jama’ah, consist of muslims that reside in Belgrade as well as the Embassy staff and Indonesian citizens reside in Belgrade.

In the afternoon, the Embassy held an “Open House” at the Ambassador residence to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr that was attended by around 100 guests, consist of Indonesian citizens reside in Serbia, Indonesia-Serbia friendship association “Nusantara”, Darmasiswa scholarship students, muslim friends of the Embassy, as well as citizens of Serbia. On the occasion, the Ambassador convey Eid ul-Fitr greetings for muslims in Serbia and call for the harmony of interfaith between the people in Serbia that has been very well tied to be maintained for the years to come. The “Open House” also received covers from the media in Serbia, among others are Studio B and RTS, who also made a short interview with the Ambassador and the Embassy staff regarding the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr.

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August 2011

66th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia

On 17th August 2011, the Republic of Indonesia celebrates its Independence Day. The celebration is marked with a flag ceremony to honor the independence patriots that has fought for Indonesia independence in the past. The flag ceremony is conducted in each part of Indonesia territory and in all of Indonesia representatives abroad. The Proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia was done by first Indonesian President and Vice President, Soekarno and M. Hatta on 17 August 1945 and the Proclamation reading was attended by roughly 1000 people and broadcasted by medias throughout Indonesia archipelago. The Proclamation at street Pegangsaan Timur no. 56 in Jakarta was heard throughout the country because the text was secretly broadcasted by Indonesian radio using the transmitters of the Jakarta Hoso Kyoku radio station. An English translation of the Proclamation was broadcasted overseas.

Pancasila (five principals) became Indonesia’s ideological and philosophical basis, and on 18 August 1945, the 1945 Constitution (Undang-Undang Dasar 1945) was adopted as the basic law of Indonesia.

The proclamation has an important meaning for Indonesians, it is the peak of Indonesia’s struggle movement against colonialism that has lasted for many years. With its independence, Indonesia has the right to determine its own territory, its own rights and dignity and also give freedom for its people from colonialism that has bind them for many generations.

After Soekarno and M.Hatta proclaimed Indonesia’s Independence, the first flag raising ceremony was held. The first Indonesian national flag “Bendera Pusaka” was sewn by Soekarno’s wife, Fatmawati. It was hoisted on a short bamboo staff by a group led by Captain Latief Hendaningrat; after its hoisting, the gathered crowd sang “Indonesia Raya”. The “Bendera Pusaka” consists of two bands, red at the top and white at the bottom, at a scale of 2:3. The red stands for bravery, while the white stands for purity.

Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade celebrate the 66th anniversary of

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August 2011

Indonesia’s Independence by flag raising ceremony in the morning, with attendance by all Indonesian Embassy staff, Indonesian citizens reside in Serbia, Indonesia-Serbia Friendship Association “Nusantara”, friends of Indonesia and media. The ceremony was conducted in solemn and smooth, in memory of all fallen heroes that have given their lives for the future generations in Indonesia.

This year, the ceremony was conducted by the Assistant of the Indonesian Defense Attache to Serbia, and the flag raising, reading the text of the Proclamation of Independence, preamble of the Constituion 1945 and the prayer was delivered by the youth of Indonesian community living in Serbia, as the symbol and massage of trust to the young generations that will continue the fight and bring the prosperity to the country in the spirit of independence.

On the occasion, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in his address to the Indonesian citizens in Serbia stated the importance to always uphold their nationality, honour the independence patriots and to maintain the good relationship between Indonesia and Serbia. The Ambassador in his speech also convey his hope that the celebration of Indonesia Independence Day will encourage the Indonesian people to maintain hard work and stand together in order to solve the hardships that may lay ahead. In the 66 years of Independence, Indonesia is now able to emerge as the world third biggest democracy country and also claimed as one of the emerging economy country in the world.

After the flag raising ceremony, the Ambassador Semuel Samson and spouse, as well as the staff of the Indonesian Embassy with spouses, have received congratulations from all the attendance of the ceremony. Despite the very hot weather on that day and fasting month of Ramadan, the atmosphere before, during and after the ceremony was very solemn and in the atmosphere of unity. On the same day, the lowering flag ceremony was held in the evening and after the sunset the Indonesian Ambassador Semuel Samson has hosted the Iftar for all Ambassadors from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Serbian Ministry of Religion and Diapora, religious leaders in Serbia, and all Indonesian community in Belgrade.

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September 2011

Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa in Belgrade on the ocassion of 50 years of NAM

The anniversary of the 50 years of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) has been commemorated on 5-6 September 2011 in Belgrade, Serbia, with attendance of the Ministers of the country members, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa, as well as guest countries, representatives from the ex-members of Yugoslavia (Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina).

NAM is a group of states not related/aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. It was founded in 1961, by its founding fathers namely Josip Broz Tito, President of Yugoslavia, Soekarno, first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser, second President of Egypt and Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana.

The purpose of NAM is to ensure the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned states to struggle against imperialism, colonialism, racism and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference as well as against great power and bloc politics. As of 2011, NAM had 120 members and 17 observer countries.

NAM’s establishment in 1961 was based on the Bandung Conference in 1955, hosted by the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, with attendance of leaders from the Asia-Africa countries. From there, the founding fathers of NAM constructed NAM’s five principles:

a. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereigntyb. Mutual non-aggressionc. Mutual non-interference in domestic affairsd. Equally and mutual benefite. Peaceful co-existence

The 50 years commemoration of NAM was marked with a commemorative meeting in Belgrade, opened by the Chairman of the NAM, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Kemel Amr, in the Serbia Parliament. In his speech, H. E. Mr. Mohamed Kemel Amr convey that

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in addition to the aspirations and interests from the country members, the role of NAM as a body is still very important, especially as a channel body for the member countries to deliver their aspirations in politic, economy, humanity issues as well as in social and culture to the international world.

On this occasion, President of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Boris Tadic convey his contentment and hopes for the continuation of the NAM in the years to come, and clarify that ever since its establishment in 1961, NAM has successful in its purpose to fight against monopoly of force and act of aggression as well as imperialism in the world. Even though Serbia currently is only an observer country in the NAM, but Serbia shared NAM main purpose to eradicate all forms of colonialism in the world. The President stated also his excitement for the commemorative event since there are quite a number of states that attend the meeting, which indicate the strong bound between NAM members, and proven the members still have not forgotten the role of the city of Belgrade in the history of NAM. The meeting of 50 years commemoration of NAM took place in the Serbia National Assembly, which was the very same place and meeting room where the first NAM meeting was held in 1961 in Belgrade.

In the opening of the event, H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa stated the importance for NAM to maintain its role and contribution towards the international society. In this case, the Minister remind the people on the statement from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the opening of the NAM last meeting on Bali, among others are:

a. NAM must be a net contributor to a culture of global peace and security.For this occur, NAM must make every effort to ensure that individual countries within NAM are more peaceful, more secure, and

more stable, and based on these national and regional efforts and realities, NAM can contribute to the peace making in the world at large. NAM should be a force that advocates inclusion rather than exclusion,where nations work in concert to address common challenges, and where conflicts are resolved through dialogues and diplomacy rather than through the use or threat of force, in short, NAM must strive for common security for all.

b. NAM must be a net contributor to political development, to the promotion of democracy and to the advancement of good governance. For that purpose, NAM should be a global force that is truly cognizant of the calls for democracy, and join hands with the other elements of the International community to strengthen respect for democratic values.

c. NAM must be a net contributor to equitable prosperity, where no nation will be left behind. The recent economic and financial crisis in many develop countries demonstrates a greater opportunity for countries within the NAM

to contribute to global prosperity. As NAM is the largest grouping of countries in the world, growing prosperity within NAM members will automatically manifest to global prosperity. In this regard, a genuine partnership between the develop and developing world must be established, where each must do their part to ensure equitable, strong, sustainable and balance growth of the members economy.

The commemorative meeting that was held on 5-6 September 2011 has reached conclusions, that NAM in the future must actively participate in the dialogues and cooperation between states and its counterpart to help in solving international disputes that may occurred. The member countries also clarify the important meaning of Belgrade as a historical city not only as a place where the first NAM conference was held, but also as an important partner that has actively supported the movement in maintaining world peace as well as eradication of apartheid politic in the world.

In between the commemorative meeting with the delegations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremic, and had a courtesy call to the President of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Boris Tadic. In the meeting, has been carried signing of Agreement in the Promotion and Protection of Investment between Indonesia and Serbia, an agreement in the field of economy to promote cooperation and to protect the cooperation in the field of investment. The agreement regulates among others the administration for protection and equal treatment for third-party investors, and compensation in terms of force majeure. The agreement is expected to attracted investors from Indonesia and Serbia to invest.

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September 2011

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia gathered with Indonesian community in the premises of Embassy

On the occasion of 50 years commemoration of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) in Belgrade, Serbia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. RM. Marty M. Natalegawa along with the members of Indonesian delegations, had the opportunity to meet and greet the Indonesian citizens reside in Serbia as well as members of the Friendship Association of Indonesia and Serbia “Nusantara” at the Ambassador residence in Belgrade.

The visit of the Minister has been a long waited visit by the Embassy, since the last visit by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Belgrade was in 1989 during the 9th Non Aligned Summit by late former Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Ali Alatas.

In his speech, the Minister convey to the attendance that ever since the first NAM conference in 1961 in Belgrade, the relationship between Indonesia and Serbia has always been a good and friendly relationship. The Minister stated of the importance to strengthen and increase the relationship between Indonesia and Serbia through the “people to people contact” and for that reason, the existence of Friendship Association “Nusantara” and the Indonesian School in Belgrade are one of the main pillars that support the Embassy’s activities in increasing the relationship between Indonesia and Serbia in general.

The meeting was attended by more than 50 people, and on the occasion, the attendances had the opportunity to hold a discussion in person with the Minister and the Ambassador. Those present on the occasion was very satisfied and pleased with the event and convey their wish to be able to had another dialogue with the Minister on his future visit to Belgrade.

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September 2011

Official visit of Serbian Minister of Defense H.E. Mr. Dragan Šutanovac to Indonesia

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Serbia have agreed to boost bilateral relations especially in the field of defense, by the signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the respective Minister of Defense H.E. Mr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro and H.E. Mr. Dragan Sutanovac on 13th of September 2011 at the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta. The bilateral cooperation has actually been established since the early days of the independence of Indonesia which was marked by the signing of cooperative agreement on military procurement from Yugoslavia, by the Chief of Land Forces of Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Gen. A. Yani on June 22, 1959. The cooperation was developed into the field of education (Seskoad), ship building like KRI “Ki Hajar Dewantoro”, military medical cooperation, education, R & D and so forth.

It is written in the Memorandum of Understanding, that the two countries agreed to enhance the cooperation in the field of defense industries, educational exchanges and training from the level of military academy, staff and command, Master untill PhD level, and the military medical personnel as well. The agreement, itself is a renewal of the same draft that has been signed on January 19, 2005, by Mr. Pavle Jankovic, Assitant Minister for Defense Policy, the Minister of Defense on behalf of the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro and Major General Aqlani Maza, Director General for Fasilities America for Defense, the Department of Defense on behalf of the Government of Republic of Indonesia.

The momentum of signing of the MoU was witnessed by some prominent figures from both Ministries of Defense, from Indonesian side were the Secretary General, Lieutenant General Herryanto Eris, S.Ip., MA, Special Staff of the Minister of Defence for International Cooperation Mr.Soemadi DM Brotodiningrat, Director of the International Cooperation of the Directorate General for Defence Strategy of the Ministry of Defence, Brig. Gen.Suhendar Brigadier, BC, Rear Admiral Ir. A. Djonie Gallaran, MM and Brigadier General Asrin. From the Serbian side was Brigadier General Dr. Mladen Vuruna, Head of the Serbian Military Academy. The MoU emphasized on the efforts of both countries to enhance the defense cooperation in terms of Strategic Policy Defense, Procurement, Defense Industries cooperation, Education and Training as well as other cooperation.

After the working visit to the Minister of Defense at the Ministry of Defense headquaters, the delegation of the Republic of Serbia proceeded a courtesy call to the Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law and Security, visiting the University of Defense, PT. Pindad, PT. Dirgantara Indonesia in Bandung and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. On September 15, 2011, the delegation visited the military hospital and some workshops for creating positive synergies between the two countries in the field of defense industry.

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Summary 2011 - Embassy News

September 2011

Diplomatic reception on the ocassion of 66th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia

As part of the celebration of the 66th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy has held a Diplomatic reception on 8 September 2011, at the Crystal Ballroom of Hyatt Regency in Belgrade.

The reception was attended by more than 450 guests, consist of Diplomatic corps, officials from the Government of the Republic of Serbia, mayors, businessmen, media and Indonesian citizen reside in Serbia, along with the Friendship Association of Indonesia and Serbia “Nusantara”.

In honoring the 50 years commemoration of the Non-Alignment Movement and 55 years of relation between Indonesia and Serbia, the Embassy also held a photo exhibition with the theme of “Soekarno in Belgrade” at the gallery of the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Belgrade. The reception was enlivened by performance of Balinese dance “Gabor” by the Embassy dance students and gamelan songs, presented by Gamelan group of the Embassy.

The reception was attended also by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Dragan Sutanovac, and the Minister without Portfolio, H.E. Mr. Sulejman Ugljanin.

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Embassy News - Summary 2011

September 2011

Culinary Days ‘Taste of Indonesia’ in BelgradeThe Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, in cooperation with the Ministry of

Tourism and Creative Economy (previously Ministry of Culture and Tourism) and in cooperation with the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, has organized Indonesian Culinary Week on 5-15 September 2011. The opening of the event was marked with the press conference by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia for Serbia, H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson. The press conference was opened with Balinese dancing by the dance students of the Embassy, that received a marvelous applause from the attendants.

On the event of Indonesian Culinary Week, 2 (two) Chefs from Hyatt Regency Bandung, West Java, Mr. Deddy Prihardywarman and Mr. Agus Saepudin, were especially assigned as the main Chefs for the event. As the main Chefs, they are responsible for the cuisine served during the culinary week as well as to train and share their knowledge to the Chef and Hyatt Regency staff regarding Indonesian cuisine. On the 6 September 2011, after the press conference, the Indonesian Ambassador has hosted also a “Chef’s Table” night, served as a special farewell dinner for the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea that was also attendant by the Ambassadors of India, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany and Portugal, as well as Hyatt Regency Belgrade sales manager.

The culinary week was a success, where many Serbian that came to the event stated their satisfaction and complements on the great taste of the cuisines served. Many of them had the opportunity meet the Chef and to ask on the recipe of the cuisine served and complement the Chefs for their well done job. The culinary week attracted not only the attention of the Serbian people, but as well as the delegations from the attending country on the 50 years Commemoration of Non-Aligned Countries that was held in Belgrade on 5-6 September 2011. The visitors among others are delegations from the Asian and African countries, especially from Brunei Darussalam and the Middle East countries.

During their time in Belgrade, the Chefs were also assigned to prepare the Indonesian cuisine served during the Embassy Diplomatic Reception that took place at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, on 8 September 2011. The Chefs also participated in the cooking class organized by the Embassy Women’s Union “Dharma Wanita Persatuan” for the members of International Women’s Club in Serbia. On the cooking class, the Chefs had the opportunity to demonstrate about the cooking method for Nasi Goreng and Sum-sum porridge.

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Summary 2011 - Embassy News

October 2011

Celebration of 66th Indonesian National Armed Forces Day

On October 5, 2011, in Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, the Ambassador Semuel Samson has led a ceremony to mark the 66th Anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) that was attended by all the staff of the Embassy, Dharma Wanita Persatuan members and Indonesian community in Serbia. This year s ceremony to mark the 66th Anniversary of TNI was themed “With Integrity and Professionalism, TNI with National Components are ready to Maintain and Uphold the Sovereignty and Integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)”. After the successful ceremony, the Ambassador had the honour to deliver the peak of the ‘Tumpeng’ to one of the local staff at the Indonesian Defense office in Belgrade, Mrs. Mira Šekarić.

In the frame of this anniversary, on October 18, 2011, the Indonesian Embassy has organized the “Mini Shooting Competition” and cocktail party in Partizan Shooting Club in Belgrade, that was attended by the many officials from the Serbian Government, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, representatives of the Serbian military industry, Head of Diplomatic Missions and their Defense Attaches, International Organizations and other respected counterparts.

This year, the celebration of the Anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces was marked in different way and was responded very positive by all the participants. The competition was in shooting using pistol CZ-999 and cal. 9 mm bullets, in two rounds of disciplines. The first was the round target of 50x50 cm at distance of 15 meters with 3 sighting shots and 5 bullets precise hit fire with the limit of one minute per round. The second, was the rapid fire at the round target from 15 meters with time limits of 3 seconds for each round and with 5 bullets.

The excitement was overflowed during the competition, many of the participants had the experience in shooting but there were also many of them who just wanted to try for the first time. While others were enjoying the cocktail, Indonesian snacks and live music in the outdoor area of the Partizan Shooting Club.

After three hours of individual shootings and pleasant music as well, the committee of judges from the Partizan Club announced the winners. The first prize was won by Mr. Aleksandar Djenić from the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs with 93 points, the second prize by Mr. Branislav Vukadinović with 90 points also from the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs and the third prize by Mr. Šandor Horvarth with 89 points from OSCE Mission. The special prize for the best beginner category among ladies was won by Mrs. Julie Rice, spouse of Air Attache from Embassy of USA, who gain the one year free membership at the Partizan Shooting Club.

The shooting competition was sponsored by two respected Serbian companies, the manufacturer of firearms and artillery “ZASTAVA Arms” from Kragujevac that has provided one pistol CZ-999 for the first prize winner, and ammunition factory “PRVI PARTIZAN” from Uzice who provided 9 mm cal. ammunitions for the rest of the winners.

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Embassy News - Summary 2011

November 2011

Panel discussion “Serbia - Indonesia: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”

To mark 55 years of relation between Indonesia and Serbia, Friendship Association of Serbia and Indonesia “Nusantara“ in cooperation with the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, has held a panel discussion on November 9, 2011 in Belgrade, by raising the topic of “Serbia-Indonesia: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”.

The speaker on the panel discussion was Indonesian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Director General of Multilateral Affairs, H.E. Dr Vuk Zugic, Adviser to the President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce for international cooperation, Mrs. Milanka Stojakovic, Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy University of Belgrade, Prof. Dr. Ljubodrag Dimić, political analyst and Deputy Editor of Politika daily, Mr. Slobodan Samardžija, conducted by moderator Dr Aleksandar Raković, Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Religion and Diaspora of the Republic of Serbia.

In the presentation of the Ambassador Semuel Samson was stated that relations between Indonesia and Serbia so far has been going very well, close, with mutual support between the two countries as the founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and entering the “new era” of relation that are more concrete and productive.

In the political field, in general, Indonesia-Serbia never misses to provide mutual support in various aspects interests of both countries in international forum, while in the field of economics and development, there are many development projects in Indonesia in the 1950s to the 1980s undertaken by various institutions and the business of Yugoslavia, which now continues in various economic fields such as trade and military cooperation.

Speaking at a forum discussion, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, H.E. Dr Vuk Zugic said that Indonesia is an important partner for Serbia, it is supported by the population of Indonesia in about 240 million people, geography, vast territories and natural resources owned by Indonesia. These factors have made the Indonesia-Serbia relations as important relationships and mutually beneficial for both parties.

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Summary 2011 - Embassy News

This is evident in the 50th anniversary of NAM held in Belgrade on last September and in Bali on last May, which in that periode Indonesia and Serbia has signed six agreements and MoU on the economic, defense and education cooperation. Besides the political and economic fields, cooperation in the field of education always worked well and has increased every year, which is reflected through the increasing number of participants Darmasiswa scholarship, Indonesian Art and Culture scholarship program and master studies program KNB and “World in Serbia” program.

The panel discussion received a good reception from the people of Serbia, as seen from the density of the number of participants who attended the panel discussion, so many of them have to stand because of places available were full. This event has gain many positive respond from the public as well as from many respected media in Serbia.

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Embassy’s Meetings- Summary 2011

January - December 2011

The 2010-2013 is the year of the revival of Indonesian – and the Balkans relationship, particularly Serbian bilateral relationship. To keep up with the agenda, the Head of Mission lead the weekly meeting with all head of sections, every Monday and Friday.

In this occasion, apart from reporting each section weekly agenda and achievement, it is also a forum to discuss general matters or programmes of the Embassy. This coordination meeting what drives the Embassy to stay focus on track and adapt to change of condition and situation in achieving the Embassy’s goal, mutually benefit for Indonesia and Serbia.

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Summary 2011 - Embassy’s ceremonies

January - December 2011

The Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade hold ceremonial gathering every Monday first week of the month in the Pancasila Room in the Embassy. The ceremonial gathering is intended to boost the unification and the spirit of nationalism of the Embassy staffs, through the reading of Pancasila, the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, the Indonesian Youth Pledge and prayer. Each of the Embassy staff take turns every month to be the officer reading them in the monthly ceremonial gathering.

Furthermore in the ceremonial gathering Head of the Mission has the opportunity to share with the Embassy staffs, the programme that will be carry out in that month, enabling all staff to participate in every programmers in their own capacity. There is also element of fun and education, where staffs are given the chance to learn different Indonesian and Serbian songs for each month, to be sung in the monthly ceremonial gathering.

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Embassy’s religious events - Summary 2011

January - December 2011

During the year 2011, several religious events was held in Belgrade, the local religious festives as well as Indonesian that was held at the premises of the Embassy. One of the ocassion was the celebration of Saint Sava Day served by Serbian Patriarch His Holiness Irinej that was followed with solemn luncheon together with the highest officials of Serbian Orthodox Church. During the year, there are also several religoius festives celebrated at the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, and those were the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr 1432 H and Eid ul-Adha 1432 H with the members of the OIC and ASEAN Embassies as well as with Indonesian community in Belgrade.

To accommodate Embassies that are situated further from the mosque but a lot closer to the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, it has been a tradition that some of the personnel of the Muslim country Embassies do the Friday prayer with the Indonesian community and staff in the Embassy. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Belgrade, situated in Dedinje, is a distinct big building looking over Partizan Stadium. One of the largest room in the Embassy is the Pancasila Room, where most of the ceremonial events take place in the Embassy, including the Friday prayer.

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Summary 2011 - Courtesy Calls

January - December 2011

With the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić

Courtesy Call to the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Boris Tadić after the ceremony of Credentials

Courtesy Call to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, H.E. Dr. Slavica Djukić Dejanović

Courtesy Call to the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Dragan Šutanovac

Courtesy Call to the Minister of Trade and Services of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Slobodan Milosavljević (before the reshuffle)

Courtesy Call to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Rasim Ljajić

Courtesy Call to the Minister of Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Dušan Petrović

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Courtesy Calls - Summary 2011

Courtesy Call to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Mirko Cvetković

Courtesy Call to the Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mrs. Snežana Samardžić Marković

Courtesy Call to the Minister of Religion and the Diaspora of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Srdjan Srečković

Courtesy Call to the Minister for Kosovo and Metohija of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Goran Bogdanović

Courtesy Call to the Minister of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Oliver Dulić

Coutesy Call to the Minister of Culture, Media and Information of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Predrag Markovic

Courtesy Call to the former Minister of Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Saša Dragin (before the reshuffle)

Courtesy Call to the former Minister of Religion of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Bogoljub Šijaković (before the reshuffle)

Courtesy Call to the State Secretary for tourism of the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, Dr. Goran Petkovic

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Summary 2011 - Courtesy Calls

Courtesy Call to the President of the Parliamentary Friendship Group of Serbia and Indonesia, Mr. Meho Omerović

Courtesy Call to the Governor of the National Bank of Serbia, Mr. Dejan Šoškić Courtesy Call to the Mayor of Novi Sad, Mr. Igor Pavličić

Courtesy Call to the President of Regional Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina Province, Mr. Dragan Lukač

Courtesy Call to the President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Miloš Bugarin

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Courtesy Calls - Summary 2011

Courtesy Call to the Director of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), Mr. Nikola Mirkov

Courtesy Call to the HRH Crown Prince Aleksander Karadjordjević and HRH Crown Princess Katherine

Courtesy Call to the His Holiness Patriarch of Serbian Orthodox Church Irinej With the Mufti of Islamic Community of Serbia, Mr. Adem Zilkić

Courtesy Call to the Chief Editor of daily “Politika”, Mr. Dragan Bujošević

Courtesy Call to the editors of daily “Danas”Courtesy Call to the Deputy Director of “Studio B”,

Mr. Nemanja Vranjkovic

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Summary 2011 - Meetings in Indonesia

Courtesy visit to the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Prof. Dr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro

Meeting with the Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Mahendra Siregar

Meeting with Governor of National Defense Institute of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr Budi Susilo Soepandji

Meeting withDeputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin

Meeting with Chief of Intelligence Strategic Agency, Rear Admiral Soleman B. Ponto

Meeting with the Chief of Indonesian Navy Forces, Admiral Soeparno

Meeting with the Deputy Minister of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr Fasli Djalal

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Meetings in Indonesia - Summary 2011

Meeting with the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Suryadharma Alie on the ocassion of offcial visit of Serbian Minister of Defense to Indonesia

Meeting with CEO of Sinar Mas Group, Mr. Franky WidjajaMeeting with Chairman of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce,

Mr. Suryo Bambang Sulisto

Meeting the Secretary of the Bandung Mayor’s office, Mr. H. Edi Siswadi

Meeting with Rector of Padjadjaran University, Prof. Dr Ganjar Kurnia

Serbian Defense Minister meeting the Deputy Director of PT PINDAD

Vice Governor of the West Java province, Mr. H. Dede Jusuf

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Summary 2011 - Meetings in Indonesia

Bilateral meeting between the Defense Ministries of the Republic Indonesia and the Republic of Serbia

Courtesy visit to the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia

Courtesy visit to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

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Meetings in Indonesia - Summary 2011

The visit of the Serbian Defense Minister to the Indonesian Defense University in Jakarta

Visit to the military industry company PT PINDAD

Meeting with Director Aircraft Services of PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Mr. Budiwuraskito

Meeting with Director of International Cooperation of Indonesian National Department of Education and SEAMOLEC

Meeting with Director of the Agency for Agriculture Research and Development of PT Sang Hyang Seri

Test shooting of Serbian Minister of Defense at PT PINDAD

Meeting with Secretary General of Indonesia’s Olympic Committee and associates

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Embassy News

With spirit of togetherness of ASEAN and NAM toward the better future !

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Embassy News

With spirit of togetherness of ASEAN and NAM toward the better future !

66 years of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia55 years of friendship between Indonesia and Serbia50 years of Non Aligned Movement44 years of ASEAN

In t he spirit of

wonderful

Indonesia