The Georgian Embassy in Jakarta hosted an event marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s independence on Wednesday and expressed hope of closer bilateral relations with Indonesia.

The public holiday in Georgia commemorates the adoption of the Act of Independence on May 26, 1918, which established the Democratic Republic of Georgia in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution in 1917, said Ambassador to Indonesia Irakli Asashvili.

He said the day was a very special day in the history of Georgia, which was the beginning of modern statehood in its 3,000 year-long history, “despite Georgia’s later occupation by the Soviet Union, which lasted 70 years.”

In 1921, Georgia was invaded by the Soviet army and the country became a soviet socialist republic, joining the Soviet Union in 1922. Georgia seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Besides the centenary celebrations, Georgia is also celebrating 25 years of diplomatic ties with Indonesia, Asashvili said.

The two countries had experienced drastic growth in partnership. “In particular, after opening the embassy of Georgia in Jakarta in 2012, we saw rapidly growing cooperation in all areas, including political partnerships, the economy, culture and in enhancing people-to-people contacts,” the envoy said during a diplomatic reception at the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Asashvili said he was also very happy with the recent decision of the Indonesian government to establish a diplomatic presence in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. And although it was not yet a full-fledged embassy, the Indonesian representation office would be the first one to be established in Georgia by a Southeast Asian nation.

“We are quite optimistic that this in the near future will be transformed into a fully-fledged embassy because of the rapidly growing ties between our two nations, he said.

Having served as ambassador to Indonesia for seven months, Asashvili said the partnership was one of Georgia’s main priorities.

He said while Georgia’s foreign policy puts issues like full integration into the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the forefront, Tbilisi also placed great importance in enhancing partnerships all over the world.

“A partnership with Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, is one of the main foreign policy priorities for my government,” Asashvili said.

The guest of honor representing the Indonesian government, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, said Indonesia and Georgia could work together to become a driving force powering economic dynamism and connectivity in both regions.

He said it was Indonesia’s top priority to promote better trade relations and tourism.

“As connectivity is becoming easier with connections between Tbilisi, Jakarta and Denpasar, I really hope the visa-free [scheme] provided by the Indonesian government for more than 100 countries — including Georgia — will resulted in more tourist arrivals,” Budi said.

According to data from the Trade Ministry, two-way trade between Indonesia and Georgia stands at US$60 million, rising steadily in the past two years.

Popular

Prabowo inaugurates construction of Majapahit palace replica

Indonesia sees hottest April in 40 years

Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?