Karling klub Vukovi

At the beginning of July, in Serbia, the Minister of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia, Yasonna Laoly arrived for an official visit. The Indonesian Minister was received by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dačić, who emphasized that the relations between Serbia and Indonesia, which were established 66 years ago, are traditionally friendly and that dialogue on a high level contributes to their further consolidation. He expressed the expectation that we will achieve even better results in the coming period, particularly in the field of economic, parliamentary, educational, scientific-cultural and sports cooperation.

Minister Dačić expressed satisfaction with the high level of understanding between Serbia and Indonesia on key issues for the two countries, and thanked Indonesia for the principled and unequivocal position of non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo, as well as on continuous support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia.

Furthermore, he greatly thanked Indonesia for its humanitarian aid intended to handle the consequences of the outbreak of the infectious disease COVID-19, especially for the package of medical equipment that, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, the Indonesian Minister handed over to Serbia.

The State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Radomir Ilić, met with the Indonesian Minister with whom he discussed the past and future cooperation between the two countries. Ilić and Laoly agreed that the cooperation between Serbia and Indonesia has been successful so far, but that there is room for its further improvement, especially in the field of international legal assistance. They jointly pointed out that negotiations on concluding an agreement in the field of international legal assistance, the drafts of which have already been exchanged, should begin soon.

At the end of the multi-day visit, the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, received Minister Laoly, who conveyed him a personal message from Joko Widodo, the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Along with his greetings, President Widodo congratulated President Vučić on winning the parliamentary elections, as well as gratitude for his contribution to the extraordinary bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Indonesia.

President Vučić said that Serbia considers Indonesia an important partner, whose relations are characterized by friendship established during the creation and work of the Non-Aligned Movement. He thanked Indonesia for its principled position on the issue of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is especially evident in international organizations. He also said that Serbia supports Indonesia in protecting its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The President of the Republic of Serbia expressed his support to the people of Indonesia to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as soon as possible and get back to the path of social and economic progress. He congratulated the Indonesian leadership on the achieved results in the development of the economy and expressed interest in strengthening economic cooperation, for which there are opportunities in many areas.

President Vučić and Minister Laoly agreed that the improvement of the contractual basis between Serbia and Indonesia will improve cooperation in various fields.

President Vučić invited President Widodo to visit Serbia.

On the occasion of the official stay of the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, Yasonna Laoly, in Belgrade, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia organized a virtual meeting on 5th July, via the Zoom app. The Indonesian Minister, in the presence of the Ambassador of Indonesia, Mochammad Chandra Widya Yudha, greeted the members of the Indonesian community in Serbia, members of the Association of Serbian-Indonesian Friendship NUSANTARA, the dance groups of the Embassy of Indonesia and others.

On behalf of the Association NUSANTARA, Marko Jelić, Secretary General of the Association of Serbian-Indonesian Friendship NUSANTARA, greeted the Minister, introduced him to the activities of the Association, which has more than 170 members, and which celebrates its coming of age next year, 18 years since its founding. On that occasion, NUSANTARA plans to publish a book about its 18 years of activity, its numerous activities in the field of culture and the interfaith dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia.

NUSANTARA gifted the Minister a book by the Serbian Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić, “Signs by the Road”, in English and a model of the monument to Knez Mihailo in memory of the days spent in the capital of Serbia.

The stay of the Indonesian minister in Belgrade is yet another confirmation of the friendly ties between the two nations, and the desire of the Government of Indonesia to want to cooperate with Serbia, in this year’s complex working and travel conditions due to the coronavirus.