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Italy’s strengthening relations with Indonesia
On June 2, Italy celebrates its National Day, the anniversary of the 1946 referendum when the Italian people, after the tragedy of the World War, voted for the republican order for the nation
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n June 2, Italy celebrates its National Day, the anniversary of the 1946 referendum when the Italian people, after the tragedy of the World War, voted for the republican order for the nation.
This year the commemoration occurs while the world is facing one of the greatest challenges of our time, the pandemic, which is causing tremendous suffering and a loss of human lives, a decline in world wealth and the impoverishment of families in most regions of the planet.
Italy was hit hard by the pandemic and had to be the first to react in Europe, implementing a series of rapid and bold measures of isolation of people and containment of the spread of infections, a scheme that has served as an example for many countries.
The values of civilization and solidarity, as well as the quality of scientific research, innovation and creativity which embody the Italian identity, are expected to offer an effective and unique contribution to the resumption of economic activity and to a more ambitious level of international cooperation.
In terms of bilateral relations, Italy as a major European partner of Indonesia, has long been an important source of investments and a provider of state-of-the-art technology and know-how. In view of the economic recovery, the conditions for increasing mutual investment between our two countries and for strengthening scientific, technological and industrial collaboration are sound and promising.
Italy is the second industrial power in Europe and leader in the continent for its efficient use of resources in the manufacturing process. Italy is a leader in food safety with the lowest number of products showing chemical residues and Italian agriculture is among the most efficient in terms of low climate-changing emissions. Italy is one of Europe’s biggest manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, exporting almost 80 percent of its production.
The Italian enterprises specializing in major infrastructure projects are currently present in 92 countries and the Italian aerospace industry is among the most advanced in the world, contributing almost 50 percent of the pressurized volume of the International Space Station.
Last year, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, dozens of initiatives were featured in Indonesia, ranging from cultural and scientific events to economic promotion aimed at presenting the cultural richness, the scientific and technological primacy and the social diversity of contemporary Italy. Provided that a sound business climate be in place, sharing this vast experience with Indonesia would lead to technology transfer, job creation and fresh investment.
Besides the economic field, our relations prosper from people-to-people interaction and contacts between civil societies, as well as from a long-standing interfaith dialogue. Academic cooperation is advancing, with a growing number of Indonesian students choosing Italy as the destination to complete their higher education, in scientific and technological research.
The Italian language is taught in several Indonesian universities and Italian researchers and academics are active across the archipelago, sharing their knowledge and developing joint initiatives. Conscious of the high potential of Indonesian youth, the Italian government has doubled the number of scholarships provided to Indonesian students.
Sharing the same values is a crucial factor for collaboration. Italy, as a founding member of the European Union, and Indonesia, as a founding member of ASEAN, are among the major contributors to the United Nations peace initiatives and share the same commitment to a fair and inclusive multilateralism founded on the UN Charter and principles, an objective to which Indonesia is currently giving a productive boost as member of the UN Security Council.
The same commitment to deepen the level of cooperation and to expand mutual opportunities is referred to ASEAN, as suggested by the success of the ASEAN-Italy High Level Dialogue on Economic Relations, held on an annual basis after its launch in Jakarta in 2017. For decades, ASEAN has created a space of peace, stability and prosperity, hence its role of solidarity and cooperation will be a key factor in the region’s recovery process.
We are on the eve of international events that will be crucial in taking care of our common house. As a partner in the organization of the 26th international climate summit and preparatory events, which have been postponed until next year due to the pandemic, Italy is committed to make the event as ambitious and inclusive as possible, to address the linked challenges of public health, climate change and biodiversity preservation.
In 2021, the Group of 20, under the Italian presidency, will be responsible for addressing the new need of international coordination and redesigning the priorities of the new global agenda. It will be an additional opportunity for Italy and Indonesia to outline new proposals for international cooperation based on the interconnection between people, ecosystems and fair and sustainable economic growth.
At the conclusion of my tenure, after more than four years, I am convinced that, on the common path of recovery from the after effects of the pandemic, prospects of Italian collaboration with Indonesia and ASEAN are stronger than ever.
Confident that we shall rise above the ordeal, I wish Indonesia and the Indonesian people the very best success in overcoming the challenges faced by all in this period of time.
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Ambassador of Italy to Indonesia, Timor Leste and ASEAN
