Foreign relations of Indonesia

Since independence, Indonesian foreign relations have adhered to a "free and active" foreign policy, seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. Indonesian foreign policy under the "New Order" government of President Suharto moved away from the stridently anti-Western, anti-American posturing that characterized the latter part of the Sukarno era. Following Suharto's ouster in 1998, Indonesia's government has preserved the broad outlines of Suharto's independent, moderate foreign policy. Preoccupation with domestic problems has not prevented successive presidents from traveling abroad and Indonesia's participation in many international fora. The independence of East Timor from Indonesia after an August 1999 East Timor referendum, and subsequent attacks on East Timor, strained Indonesia's relations with the international community.

Significant international memberships

A cornerstone of Indonesia's contemporary foreign policy is its participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which it was a founding member in 1967 with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Since then, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia also have joined ASEAN. While organized to promote common economic, social, and cultural goals, ASEAN acquired a security dimension after Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1979; this aspect of ASEAN expanded with the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum in 1994, which comprises 22 countries, including the U.S. Indonesia's continued domestic troubles have distracted it from ASEAN matters and consequently lessened its influence within the organization.

Indonesia also was one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and has taken moderate positions in its councils. As NAM Chairman in 1992-95, it led NAM positions away from the rhetoric of North-South confrontation, advocating instead the broadening of North-South cooperation in the area of development. Indonesia continues to be a prominent, and generally helpful, leader of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, and is a member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It carefully considers the interests of Islamic solidarity in its foreign policy decisions but generally has been an influence for moderation in the OIC. President Wahid has pursued better relations with Israel, and in August 2000 he met with former Israeli Prime Minister Peres. However, as of January 2006, there's no formal diplomacy link between Indonesia and Israel. As such, Indonesia, alongside its Malaysian neighbor, conducts its foreign relations with Israel through Singapore.

After 1966, Indonesia welcomed and maintained close relations with the donor community, particularly the United States, western Europe, Australia, and Japan, through the Intergovernmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI) and its successor, the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), which have provided substantial foreign economic assistance. Problems in Timor and Indonesia's reluctance to implement economic reform, have complicated Indonesia's relationship with donors.

Indonesia has been a strong supporter of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Largely through the efforts of President Suharto at the 1994 meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, APEC members agreed to implement free trade in the region by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies.

Disputes — international

Indonesia is at the centre of numerous investigations into human rights abuses and is widely suspected of supporting and even encouraging militia presences in those provinces with a large independence movement; namely, West Papua, Aceh, and, in the past, East Timor. The many islands are also the source for many pirate groups that regularly attack ships in the Strait of Malacca in the north, and illegal fishing crews known for penetrating Australian and Filipino waters. Indonesia's continuation of capital punishment, and the often corrupt judiciary and military has also led to political altercations with several human rights groups.

• Ambalat Block in dispute with Malaysia (current)
• Sipadan and Ligitan Islands in dispute with Malaysia (closed, given to Malaysia)

Southeast Asia and Oceania

Australia

Main article: Australia–Indonesia relations

Since Indonesian independence, the two countries have maintained mutual diplomatic relations, formalised co-operation (especially in the fields of fisheries conservation, law enforcement, and justice cooperation), a measure of security co-operation, broadening treaty relationships, co-membership of regional forums, and co-participation in several multilateral Treaties of significance.

Recent years have seen a deepening of Australia's aid commitment to Indonesia, and Australia has become a popular venue for Indonesian students.

In 2008-09, Indonesia is the largest recipient of Australian aid at a value of AUD462 million.

East Timor

Main article: East Timor-Indonesia relations

East Timor (officially named the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste) and Indonesia share the island of Timor. Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975 and annexed East Timor in 1976, maintaining East Timor as its 27th province until a United Nations-sponsored referendum in 1999, in which the people of East Timor chose independence. Following a United Nations interim administration, East Timor gained independence in 2002.

Malaysia

• Indonesia has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur and consulate generals in Johor Bahru, George Town, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Malaysia has an embassy in Jakarta and a consulate general in Medan.
• Relations between the two nations deterioarated under President Sukarno (see Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, see Indonesian withdrawal from the United Nations), but was back to normal under President Suharto.
• Currently, both nations are in a territorial dispute over the oil rich islands of Ambalat. Previously, they were over territorial disputes over the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, which were won by Malaysia.
• Both countries are often in dispute over cultural claims. Malaysia has claimed that the Batik, the song Rasa Sayange, the angklung instrument, and Balinese dance have all originated from Malaysia.
• Both nations are founding members of ASEAN and APEC. Both nations are also members of the Non-aligned Movement.

Papua New Guinea

Main article: Indonesia–Papua New Guinea relations

Western New Guinea (which consists of two Indonesian provinces: Papua and West Papua) and Papua New Guinea share a 760-kilometre (470 mi) border that has raised tensions and ongoing diplomatic issues over many decades.

Indonesia is represented in Papua New Guinea with an embassy in Port Moresby and a consulate in Vanimo.

Thailand

Indonesia is Thailand's third most important trade partner within ASEAN, with bilateral trade worth $8.7 billion in 2007.

Vietnam

• Formal relations started in 1955
• Vietnam and Indonesia are both members of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• President Megawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia visited Vietnam in June 2003. At this time the two countries signed a "Declaration on the Framework of Friendly and Comprehensive Cooperation Entering the 21st Century".
• In May, 2005 President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia visited Vietnam.
• In the December of the same year festivities were organized in the respective capital cities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
• http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Vietnam-Indonesia-aim-for-allround-cooperation-development/20062/37663.vov

Asia

India

Main article: India–Indonesia relations

In 1950, the first President of Indonesia - Sukarno called upon the peoples of Indonesia and India to "intensify the cordial relations" that had existed between the two countries "for more than 1000 years" before they had been "disrupted" by colonial powers. Fifteen years later in Djakarta, government-inspired mobs were shouting: "Down with India, the servant of imperialists" and "Crush India, our enemy. " Yet in the spring of 1966, the foreign ministers of both countries began speaking again of an era of friendly relations. India had supported Indonesian independence and Nehru had raised the Indonesian question in the United Nations Security Council.

India has an embassy in Jakarta and Indonesia operates an embassy in Delhi .

Israel

Main article: Indonesia–Israel relations

The two countries maintain no formal diplomatic ties. Most of their informal relations are focused on Palestine.

Japan

• Indonesia has an embassy in Tokyo and a consulate general in Osaka. Japan has an embassy in Jakarta and consulate generals in Medan, Denpasar, Surabaya, and Makassar.
• Japan is Indonesia's largest export partner.
• Both countries are members of the G20 major economies and APEC.

People's Republic of China

Main article: People's Republic of China – Indonesia relations

China and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on April 13 1950, which was suspended on October 30 1967 due to the occurrence of the September 30 event of 1965.

The bilateral relations began to ease since 1980s. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen of China met with President Suharto and State Minister Moerdiono of Indonesia in 1989 to discuss the resumption of diplomatic relations of the two countries. In December 1989, the two sides held talks on the technical issues regarding the normalization of bilateral relations and signed the Minutes. Foreign Minister Ali Alatas of Indonesia visited China on invitation in July 1990 and the two sides issued the Agreement on the Settlement of Indonesia's Debt Obligation to China and the Communique on the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries. The two countries issued the "Communiqué on the Restoration of Diplomatic Relations between the Two Countries".

Premier Li Peng visited Indonesia on invitation in August 6, 1990. In his talks with President Suharto, the two sides expressed their willingness to improve relations between the two countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence and the Ten Principles of the Bandung Conference. On 8 August, Foreign Ministers of China and Indonesia on behalf of their respective governments, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations. The two sides declared the formal resumption of the diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia on that day.

Turkey

• Indonesia has an embassy in Ankara.
• Turkey has an embassy in Jakarta.
• Both countries are full members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and the G20 major economies.
• This relationship began in the 16th century when the Muslim sultan of Java requested help from the Ottoman Turkish Caliph to resist the Portugese colonization attempts in the region, which was replied with a large contingent of ships and soldiers whose efforts to help their muslim brothers mark to this day the close relationship between Indonesia and Turkey.

Europe

Bulgaria

Main article: Bulgaria–Indonesia relations

• Bulgaria was among the States that recognized Indonesia's independence since its Proclamation of Independence on August 17, 1945. Diplomatic relations started on September 21, 1956.
• Bulgaria has had an embassy in Jakarta since October 1958
• Indonesia has had an embassy in Sofia Since 1960.

Finland

Further information: Foreign relations of Finland

Greece

• Diplomatic relations started in 1960.
• The embassy of Indonesia in Athens was opened since 1994.
• The embassy of Greece in Jakarta was opened in 1997.
• Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry about relations with Indonesia.

Holy See

Further information: Foreign relations of the Holy See

Romania

• Indonesia has an embassy in Bucharest
• Romania has an embassy in Jakarta
• Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Romanian embassy in Jakarta

Russia

Main article: Indonesia–Russia relations

• Russia has an embassy in Jakarta.
• Indonesia has an embassy in Moscow along with a consulate general in Saint Petersburg.
• Both countries are members of the APEC.
• Early in the Cold War, both countries had very strong relations with Indonesian president Sukarno visiting Moscow and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visiting Jakarta. When Sukarno was overthrown by General Suharto, relations between the two states weren't as close as they were during Sukarno's times.
• In late 2007, Indonesia purchased military weapons from Russia with long term payment. Both countries are also members of the G20 and APEC

Ukraine

Indonesia recognized Ukraine’s independence in 1992 and established diplomatic relations in 1993. Indonesia has an embassy in Kiev. Ukraine has an embassy in Jakarta.

The United Kingdom

• The United Kingdom has an embassy in Jakarta and Indonesia has an embassy in London
• Both countries faced in a military conflict in the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation and the Battle of Surabaya.
• Both countries are members of the G20 major economies and G-15.
• Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attended London in April 2009 for the 2009 G-20 London Summit.

North America

Canada

Further information: Foreign relations of Canada

United States

Main article: Indonesia – United States relations

The United States has important economic, commercial, and security interests in Indonesia. It remains a linchpin of regional security due to its strategic location astride a number of key international maritime straits, particularly the Malacca Strait. Relations between Indonesia and the U.S. are positive and have advanced since the election of President Yudhoyono in October 2004. The U.S. played a role in Indonesian independence in the late 1940s and appreciated Indonesia's role as an anti-communist bulwark during the Cold War. Cooperative relations are maintained today, although no formal security treaties bind the two countries. The United States and Indonesia share the common goal of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region and engaging in a dialogue on threats to regional security. Cooperation between the U.S. and Indonesia on counter-terrorism has increased steadily since 2002, as terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005), Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004) and other regional locations demonstrated the presence of terrorist organizations, principally Jemaah Islamiyah, in Indonesia. The United States has welcomed Indonesia's contributions to regional security, especially its leading role in helping restore democracy in Cambodia and in mediating territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Africa

Egypt

• Indonesia has an embassy in Cairo and Egypt has an embassy in Jakarta.
• Egypt was one of the first countries to recognize Indonesia's independence.
• Gamel Abdel Nasser of Egypt and Sukarno of Indonesia were two of the five founding members of the Non-aligned Movement.
• Both countries are members of the OIC, the Non-aligned Movement, and the G20 developing nations.

Libya

• Indonesia has an embassy in Tripoli and Libya has an embassy in Jakarta.
• Both countries are members of the OIC and the Non-aligned Movement.

Nigeria

• Indonesia has an embassy in Abuja and Nigeria has an embassy in Jakarta.
• Both countries are members of the OIC, the Non-aligned Movement, the G20 developing nations, and the Next eleven.

South Africa

• Indonesia has an embassy in Pretoria and South Africa has an embassy in Jakarta.
• Both countries are members of the G20 major economies, the Non-aligned Movement, and the G20 developing nations.

International organization participation

6

See also

• United States-Indonesia relations
• Australia-Indonesia relations
• Indonesian diplomatic missions
• List of diplomatic missions in Indonesia
• List of Indonesian Ambassadors to Australia
• List of Indonesian Ambassadors to the United Kingdom