The BDF was established under the initiative of the Indonesian government as an open and inclusive forum for countries around the world to share experiences and best practices in fostering and promoting democracy.  Its aim is to promote regional and international cooperation in the area of democracy.  

President Yudhoyono argued that the BDF’s goal is to promote voluntary development of democracy in the region, without the intention to pressure other countries into doing things, but by starting from learning each other’s experiences. This approach to democratization is a manifestation of the wisdom and vision of Indonesia’s diplomacy.  To this, I express my most heartfelt respect.

Indonesia and Japan celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year. Our relations have entered a new era in which we must further deepen our relationship under a new sense of mission.

Our relations in this new era should not be limited to bilateral realm alone. In this sense, when Indonesia expressed its willingness to contribute to stability and prosperity of the region through promotion of democracy, Japan, through Prime Minister Hatoyama’s co-chairmanship, expressed its clear intention to support such efforts, making a gesture to contribute to the international community hand in hand with Indonesia. This is indeed symbolic of the new relationship in a new era between Indonesia and Japan.

Indonesia’s initiatives towards promotion of democracy in the region will stimulate the process of democratization in the region, and provide strong support to the voluntary efforts of respective countries. Japan strongly supports such efforts by Indonesia, and expresses its will to cooperate. The recent BDF issued a Chairman’s Statement requesting the Institute of Peace and Democracy in Bali to organize activities such as seminars, election visits, workshops and training, in order to promote democratization in the region. What is important in the future is how we can maintain this momentum, so as to yield concrete results.

As Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has said, voluntary efforts towards democratization, which the BDF aims for, is not likely to show results overnight. But we must not stop just because we do not see quick results.  From this point of view, we want to stress the importance of the role to be played by the Institute of Peace and Democracy as agreed in the BDF. We will not spare our support to the Institute, and will pursue avenues of cooperation in the future.

The bilateral relationship and partnership between Indonesia and Japan are becoming more and more strategic in nature and more multi-faceted than ever.  Indonesia’s diplomacy, under the leadership of President Yudhoyono, is making a leap forward, as seen in the hosting of the 50th Anniversary Meeting of the Asia Africa Conference in Bandung and the COP 13 Meeting in Bali, its participation in the Toyako Hokkaido G8 Summit Meeting, and becoming a member of the G20.  

And the noble ideal and policies that support such diplomacy provides a valuable clue in looking towards the future of our  relationship. It means that Indonesia has far surpassed its position as a geopolitical anchor of Asia,and that Indonesia and Japan have become true strategic partners with shared values.  

During the recent visit by Prime Minister Hatoyama, the two leaders agreed to elevate our relationship to a new level. It is a matter of course that Japan continues to aspire for a stable and developing bilateral relationship. On the other hand, Japan does not see our relationship today in the bilateral context alone.  

We have a strong will and desire to cooperate with Indonesia in promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond. A wide range of areas, such as climate change, counter-terrorism, infectious diseases, disaster prevention, maritime security, the Middle East and international economy, will be included in such cooperation. I firmly believe that our bilateral relationship has the will and strength to work together to help resolve the various issues that the world is faced with.

The writer is Japan’s Ambassador to Indonesia.

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