RI Ambassador submits credentials to Irish president

Indonesian Ambassador to Great Britain and Northern Ireland T.M. Hamzah Thayeb delivered his credentials to Irish President Michael D. Higginsat the Presidential Palace in Dublin.

Hamzah was accompanied during the ceremony by his wife Lastry Thayeb and the minister counselor for political affairs of the Indonesian embassy in London, the embassy’s First Secretary Heni Hamidah said Saturday as quoted by Antara news agency’s office in London, the United Kingdom.

Hamzah conveyed greetings from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when submitting credentials to the Irish President.

The ambassador said the Indonesian government was committed to boosting bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields by involving Irish government officials, parliamentarians, businessmen, academicians and researchers.

The ceremony was marked with Military Honors by the Guards of Honors of the Irish Armed Forces for Hamzah, with the Indonesian anthem, Indonesia Raya.

During his stay in Dublin, Hamzah also made 13 courtesy calls to government officials, businesses and University College of Dublin, with which the Indonesian government is exploring educational cooperation development.

Hamzah is the 10th ambassador since the two countries established diplomatic relations on September 4, 1984, succeeding Yuri Thamrinin in November 2011.

Hamzah is a career diplomat and was the director general for Asia, Pacific and Africa affairs in Jakarta before appointed as ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland and was the ambassador to Australia. (mtq)