Speech by Minister Veldkamp at the diplomatic celebration of the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia

Speech | 12-09-2024

Mr Ambassador, esteemed guests,
Selamat malam (good evening),

Sapardi Djoko Damono, one the greatest Indonesian poets of the last century, wrote:

‘Jakarta is love that is not erased by rain, nor faded by heat. Jakarta is affection.’

And that love is certainly not faded by distance either.

We are separated from Jakarta by a distance of 11,000 kilometres.

It would take 27 days and 16 hours to reach the city by container ship from Rotterdam.

It takes at least 14 hours to get there by air from Schiphol Airport.

But tonight, we’re lucky enough to be experiencing the richness of Indonesia’s culture right here in Wassenaar.

This evening’s programme immerses us in the country’s vibrant culture, through dance, fashion and cuisine.

But being here tonight is an honour and makes me feel the truth of Sapardi’s words.

So thank you, Mr Ambassador, for inviting me.

Our presence at each other’s national celebrations is a testament to the strong ties between our countries.

We greatly appreciated the attendance of your foreign minister, Ibu Retno Marsudi, at our King’s Day celebrations this year at the Erasmus Huis in Jakarta.

My counterpart described her presence as ‘an expression of Indonesia’s commitment to further strengthen partnership, friendship, cooperation, collaboration based on mutual respect and benefit.’

The same goes for my presence here. I am eager to deepen our friendship and the political, economic and cultural collaboration between our countries.

So yes, our countries may be separated by 11,000 kilometres, but that’s only part of the story.

Indonesia has a significant presence in the Netherlands, and vice versa. 

Our collaboration is rooted in historic ties and close people-to-people contacts.

We’re fortunate to have a vibrant Indonesian community here in the Netherlands.

Also, hundreds of thousands of people in the Netherlands who – in one way or another – have a connection with Indonesia.

In turn, a growing number of young Indonesians are showing interest in our country, for example by studying the Dutch language.

All these people are helping to reduce the distance between our countries.

They form the backbone of our broad and warm bilateral relationship.

The ties between our countries are becoming ever stronger and more diverse.

There are close working relationships between our countries in the fields of science, the economy, water management, nature protection and climate.

In 2013 President Yudhoyono and our former prime minister, Mark Rutte, signed a joint declaration agreeing to intensify our collaboration.

I want to continue working in the spirit of that declaration.

And I’m pleased that this declaration was reinforced last year by a plan of action launched by Ms Ibu Retno Marsudi and my predecessor Ms Hanke Bruins Slot.

I also want to highlight our collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: ASEAN.

One year ago, the Netherlands became a development partner of this regional partnership - a milestone we owe to Indonesia’s support.

This was followed by our first joint committee meeting in May of this year in Jakarta, co-chaired by our Ambassador-at-Large Aldrik Gierveld.

And we’re firmly committed to further enhancing our collaboration with ASEAN.

Our regions are closely linked by shared interests and challenges. By working together, we can make a positive contribution to regional and global stability.

Mr Ambassador,

We’re developing a new relationship based on respect, trust and friendship.

And thank you very much for your important role in that endeavour.

I have every confidence that our ties will only grow deeper.

So, if I may borrow that line from Sapardi Djoko Damono: our friendship will not be erased by rain, nor faded by heat.

Bersulang! (cheers!)

Thank you.