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Maturity, partnership signify Dutch-Indonesia relationship

Tjeerd F

The Jakarta Post
Thu, December 4, 2014

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Maturity, partnership signify Dutch-Indonesia relationship

Tjeerd F. de Zwaan. JP

Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Tjeerd F. de Zwaan is leaving Jakarta on Thursday as he ends his tenure. He shares his impressions about the country, from the diversity of the nation to maritime-axis cooperation and delight in the people he will miss, during a talk with The Jakarta Post'€™s Yohanna Ririhena.

Question: What surprised you the most about Indonesia?
Answer: Probably the diversity, and the fact that within the diversity, people have a very firm belief in the country, Indonesia. They are very attached to their own cultural background, their own ethnic background, but they very much see themselves as citizens of Indonesia.

Just imagine the distance from Aceh to Papua; if you put that on the European map, it covers the same distance from the Netherlands to Turkey. So, it is not a surprise that Indonesia is so varied. If you cover the same distance in Europe, you come across a lot of different people, ethnicities, languages.

As the two nations historically have an emotional relationship, how would you describe the relationship nowadays?

It is a very strong relationship. With Indonesia we talk about a broad forward-looking relationship, which is built on mutual respect, mutual benefit. We work together on the basis of added value, as the element that creates enduring relationships. We'€™re very much focused on the future.

Are you satisfied with what has been achieved in the relationship?

I'€™m very pleased. We think that we have taken the relationship forward enormously. I see fast improvement, increased maturity. We'€™re able to look at each other in terms of a partnership. It is extremely important.

What do you think of the future challenges in the relationship?

In any relationship between two sovereign and independent nations, there will always be challenges. What is important is the way you manage and deal with the challenges. The way you manage the challenges is decided by the kind of relationship. Since Indonesia and the Netherlands retain a very close relationship based on partnership [and] respect for each other, reviewing policies, dealing with and managing challenges becomes easier.

There are no unmanageable problems. We may have different views, but we do not have disagreement. Maturity, partnership, mutual benefits and the willingness of both to take the relationship forward, to look together to where you want to go in the future, have signified the relationship.

What changes have you seen from Indonesia?

I'€™ve seen a lot of changes. You do not talk for nothing about Reformasi in 1998. You have made enormous changes. Indonesia in 1998 is quite different with Indonesia in 2014. If we look at the recent election, that is a major feat for democracy. You have shown the world that it is actually possible in a vast country of 240 million people to have a successful one-day [legislative] election and one-day presidential election. Political parties fought hard to achieve their goals but once the outcome was known, it was uncontested. It'€™s really quite something.

President Joko '€˜Jokowi'€™ Widodo has laid out maritime-axis policy as one of his top priorities. What could the Netherlands offer in this regard?

The Netherlands has always been a maritime nation. That was why we ended up here in the first place. We have enormous expertise in that particular sector. Shipbuilding, for example, is an area that needs to be developed if Indonesia wants to play this role as a maritime axis. Shipbuilding is something we can help with, we have expertise there. We are in the process of helping Indonesia at three sea ports. Rotterdam is interested in helping Indonesia in not only building but also in port management.

On the maritime axis, we also work closely with Indonesia in the rule of law. Our legal system is closely related and it is often easier for experts of the two countries to work together.

Have you had memorable events during your tenure here?

So many. One of the most remarkable moments was the visit of [Dutch Prime Minister] Mark Rutte in November 2013. It signified the strong relationship.

It was a memorable and emotional experience of how two countries can find each other in a broad and forward-looking [way]. It was a relaxed way of interacting with people, leaders and circumstances.

What will you miss the most about Indonesia?

What I will miss the most is the people because they are delightful.

For any Dutch ambassador to Indonesia, to have a posting in Indonesia is probably a wish come true. It is an exciting and challenging assignment but in a positive sense. It is a gratifying assignment because of the people you are working with.

Another thing is nasi goreng [fried rice]. I grew up with rijsttafel. I didn'€™t know that it was Indonesian, I thought it was ours. Here I can eat it every day. My further wish is that Jakarta would be able to conquer its macet [traffic jams].

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