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Indonesia looks to boost relations with Austria
In celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations with Austria, Indonesia aims to continue improving bilateral relations with the European country by furthering cooperation in business, science and infrastructure development, filling gaps where improvements can be made
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n celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations with Austria, Indonesia aims to continue improving bilateral relations with the European country by furthering cooperation in business, science and infrastructure development, filling gaps where improvements can be made.
'We currently have 19 active investment projects with Austria as well as an annual trade growth of 18 percent a year. Austria has shown itself to be an important friend and partner to Indonesia and we will continue to maintain good relations during the Joko [Jokowi] Widodo presidency,' Foreign Ministry director general for American and European Affairs Dian Triansyah Djani told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Dian added that bilateral relations with Austria in terms of scientific cooperation, investment and people-to-people interaction would be the focus of Austrian-Indonesian relations in the upcoming Jokowi presidency.
"In commemoration of our 60 years of wonderful relations, our ambassador in Vienna has held cultural activities, signifying the people-to-people relations between us and Austria," Dian added.
Austrian Ambassador to Indonesia Andreas Karbaczek further praised the 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasizing that the relations symbolized Austria's commitment to assist Indonesia's development.
'Scientific cooperation continues to flourish between the two countries, as well as political and business terms. We have enjoyed yet another excellent year of relations and we will continue to do so in the future,' Andreas said as he addressed the crowd at the Austrian national day celebrations at the Kempinski Hotel in Central Jakarta on Monday.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Austrian diaspora in maintaining the good relations between the two countries, emphasizing that the people-to-people aspect of relations was among one of the most effective ways of maintaining relationships.
The Republic of Austria celebrates its 59th National Day, referred to as the Declaration of Neutrality Day, on Oct. 26. The public holiday was enacted in 1955, which commemorated the day that Austria declared itself to be permanently neutral in terms of its constitution and in international law.
Despite this neutrality, Austria participates in occasional UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions such as the Kosovo Force, the European Union Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
Austrian-Indonesian relations were formally established in 1954.
By the end of 2013, Indonesia's total trade to Austria reached US$433 million, skirting a growth rate of 8.54 percent since 2009.
Indonesia and Austria signed a joint cooperation agreement on transportation infrastructure development in May, involving planning and redesigning Indonesia's transport infrastructure and assisting in technological research.
The agreement was signed by Austrian Minister of Transportation, Innovation and Technology Doris Bures and former Indonesian transportation minister EE Mangindaan. Bures also signed an agreement to invest in Indonesia's hydroelectric industry in May.
Mangindaan previously said in May that Austria had assisted the development of Indonesia's railway infrastructure development since 1995, through procurement, maintenance and management assistance. (dyl)
