France and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951.[1] The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. Since 2011 France and Indonesia have formed a strategic partnership.[2]
France has an embassy in Jakarta while Indonesia has an embassy in Paris. The relations between the two nations are important as both are democratic republics and each holds significant geopolitical influences in its respective region. France is a key member of the European Union, while Indonesia is a core constituent of ASEAN. The diplomatic relations between France and Indonesia are a key element for developing relations between Indonesia and the European Union and between France and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.[3] Both nations are the member of G-20 major economies.
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 56% of Indonesians view France's influence positively, with only 14% expressing a negative view. This is one of the most favourable perceptions of France in the Asia-Pacific, only lagging behind more positive views by South Korea and Australia.[4]
History
The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Netherlands fell to the French Empire, which also seized territorial possessions belonging to the Netherlands in the East Indies. For a short period between 1806 and 1811, Indonesia was subject to French administration.[5] During the reign of Governor General Herman Willem Daendels (1808–1811), France exercised its political influence in the East Indies through the Dutch Republic. Daendels was Dutch Francophile, and during his reign in Java he built a grand palace known as Het White Huis (The White House) or Het Groote Huis (The Big House), today the Indonesian Ministry of Finance building, that demonstrate French Empire style.[6] He also renamed the Buffelsveld (buffalo field) to Champs de Mars (today Merdeka square). The battle for Java was fought between British and French-Dutch Republics during Anglo-Dutch Java War in 1811.
The French Revolution and its Republic government also inspired the later Indonesian nationalist movement in the early 20th century. The political concept of the Republic of Indonesia was partly influenced by the Republic of France model. Indonesia also adopted the Napoleonic Continental legal system through Dutch intermediary. Indonesian law is often described as a member of the 'civil law' or 'Continental' group of legal systems found in European countries such as France and the Netherlands.[7]
High level visits
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris in December 2009. Both nations agreed to form a strategic partnership in 2011.[8] In July 2011, France's Prime Minister François Fillon and his entourage visited Jakarta.[9] At 29 March 2017, French President Francois Hollande made a historic visit to Indonesia.[10]
During the G20 2022 meeting in Bali, French president Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo alongside Indonesian Ministry of Defence Prabowo realized the major military and investment procurement for Indonesia and France.[11][12]
Economic relations
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France has maintained a development cooperation program with Indonesia for many years. For thirty years between 1967 and 2007, France provided aid to Indonesia within the international coordination arrangements established under the Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia and the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI). During the period (1992-2007) when the CGI was conducting activities, annual meetings of the CGI were often held in Paris.
In 1986, Indonesian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) was established to develop and foster economic, commercial and financial relations between France and Indonesia.[13] In 2011 the bilateral trade between France and Indonesia amounting to US$2.5 billion, and France is the 13th largest investor in Indonesia.[9] Indonesian imports from France includes aircraft equipment, machine and computer, electronic and precision equipment, chemical, cosmetics and perfume, food, metal and metallurgical products and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, France imports from Indonesia includes agricultural, silvicultural and fishery products, textiles and footwear. Currently there are about 100 French companies operating in Indonesia.[14] French companies operating in Indonesia among others are Total, Michelin, AXA, Eurocopter, Air France and Carrefour.[15]
Culture
The objective of French cultural cooperation action is to support Indonesia's development as a new emerging country. Accordingly, it gives priority to research (rural development, aquaculture, volcanology, geophysics, and archaeology), university exchanges, primarily in the fields of technology and biological sciences, vocational training, support for strengthening the rule of law and democratic governance. Which includes legislative technical assistance, fight against terrorism and corruption, decentralization, human rights training. The implementation of quality cultural actions, such as through the "French Springtime" (Le Printemps Français) cultural festival and audiovisual policy.
France also has established Institut Français in Indonesian cities of Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, a French cultural center with the mission to promote French culture in Indonesia through cultural performances and exhibitions, film and mediatheque.[16]
Language
The culture-linguistic relations between Indonesian and French were conducted through Dutch, as evident in Indonesian loanwords from French that mainly political or military terms, such as kudeta (from coup d'état), legiun (from légion) and letnan (from lieutenant).
Based on the expertise of the Advisory Board on Archaeological Research Abroad, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (DGCID) subsidisies the following archaeological missions in Indonesia:
Borneo: Diachronic study of uses and Rock Art in the caves and rock shelters of East Kalimantan
Java 01: A prehistoric site from the upper Pleistocene period
Java 02: The first populations on the Indonesian archipelago
Tapanuli
Music
In art and musics, France and Indonesia has mutual cultural ambassador, Anggun an IndonesianFrench-naturalised singer-songwriter, is popular in both France and Indonesia.[17][18]
Current issue
Capital punishment
In 2015, a French citizen Serge Atlaoui, is facing deathrow in Indonesian prison.[19] During the raid on a factory producing ecstasy in Tangerang, in 2005, the Indonesian police busted Atlaoui there. He was subsequently convicted in 2007 for the possession of 138 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 290kg of ketamine and 316 drums of precursor substances. Atlaoui has repeatedly denied the charges; saying that he was installing industrial machinery in what he thought was an acrylics factory.[20]
On 22 April 2015, French President Francois Hollande warned Indonesia that the execution would damage the relations between the two nations.[21] Atlaoui was spared from the execution on 29 April 2015, and currently, his sentence is being postponed.[22] France is strongly opposed to the death penalty in any place and in any context, not only when the life of a French national is at stake. France has been abolitionist since 1981.[2] Diplomatic relations are described as 'normal' despite the Atlaoui case.[20]
Defense Ties
After France and Australia heated relations with AUKUS debacle, France moves closer with Indonesia for the security of Indo-Pacific Region and also sells 42 Dassault Rafale fighters alongside Scorpene submarine's.[23][24][25]
Since independence, Indonesian foreign relations have adhered to a "free and active" foreign policy, seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. During the presidency of Sukarno, Indonesia's foreign relations were marked by engagement with other newly independent nations in Asia and Africa, as exemplified by the Bandung Conference, the subsequent foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement and a confrontational attitude towards Western powers, justified by a belief in the CONEFO and opposition to what Sukarno termed as NEKOLIM.
Herman Willem Daendels was a Dutch revolutionary, military leader, and statesman. He was 36th Governor General of the Dutch East Indies, a position he held from 1808 to 1811.
The Great Post Road is the name for the historical road that runs across Java that connects Anyer and Panarukan. It was built during the reign of Herman Willem Daendels (1808–1811), governor-general of the Dutch East Indies, using unpaid forced labor that cost thousands of lives.
Indonesia–Russia relations are the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia. Indonesia and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations in 1950. Russia has an embassy in Jakarta, and Indonesia has an embassy in Moscow along with a consulate general in Saint Petersburg. Both countries are members of the APEC and G-20.
Holy See and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1950. Relations are important as part of global interfaith dialogue, because Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim-majority population. Indonesia recognizes Roman Catholicism as one of its six approved religions. The Holy See has a nunciature in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Rome.
Indonesia and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations in 1949 and have maintained strong relations since then. Indonesia has an embassy in London while the United Kingdom has an embassy in Jakarta. The United Kingdom considers Indonesia an increasingly important partner globally and is committed to efforts to take bilateral relations to new heights. Both nations are members of G-20 major economies.
Indonesia and the Netherlands share a special relationship, embedded in their shared history of colonial interactions for centuries. It began during the spice trade as the Netherlands established the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) trading post in what is now Indonesia, before colonising it as the Dutch East Indies until the mid-20th century. Indonesia was the largest former Dutch colony. In the early 21st century, the Dutch government has committed to boosting its relationship with Indonesia, noting that economic, political, and interpersonal contacts should be further strengthened.
The colonial architecture of Indonesia refers to the buildings that were created across Indonesia during the Dutch colonial period, during that time, this region was known as the Dutch East Indies. These types of colonial era structures are more prevalent in Java and Sumatra, as those islands were considered more economically significant during the Dutch imperial period. As a result of this, there is a large number of well preserved colonial era buildings that are still densely concentrated within Indonesian cities in Java and Sumatra to this day.
Indonesia and Thailand have officially established diplomatic ties on 7 March 1950. The two countries have since enjoyed a cordial bilateral relationship. Both countries have established embassies in each capitals, Indonesia has their embassy in Bangkok and consulate in Songkhla, while Thailand has their embassy in Jakarta. High rank stately visits has been conducted for years. Both nations are the founders of ASEAN and the members of Non-Aligned Movement and APEC. Indonesia and Thailand are viewed as natural allies. Indonesia is also appointed as observer in Cambodian–Thai border dispute.
Indonesia and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1950. Portuguese explorer and trader first reached Indonesian archipelago during the age of exploration in the 16th century in order to search for spices in the Indies.
Indonesia and South Africa established diplomatic relations in August 1994. The South African Embassy in Jakarta was established in January 1995, and Indonesia opened its embassy in Pretoria in 1995. Both nations are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and G-20 major economies. In 2012, during a briefing on Foreign Policy initiatives for 2012, Indonesia named South Africa amongst its 14 strategic partners and Dutch Colonial Period East Indies Overseas Countries.
Indonesia and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations in 1952. Both nations share some cultural similarities. Indonesia and Sri Lanka are members of the World Trade Organization. They are founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement. Indonesia has an embassy in Colombo, while Sri Lanka has an embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia and Suriname established diplomatic relations in 1975. Both had a special relationship, based upon shared common history as former colonies of the Dutch Empire. Large numbers of Javanese migrated to Suriname to work on plantations during the late 19th and early 20th-centuries. Indonesia has an embassy in Paramaribo also accredited to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, while Suriname has an embassy in Jakarta. Indonesia and Suriname are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.
Germany and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1952. However, relations between the people of Germany and Indonesia has stretched back to 19th-century when a large number of German nationals migrated to Dutch East Indies.
The Czech Republic and the Republic of Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1950. Both nations have agreed to forge ties to deepen relations, especially in the business and trade sector. Indonesia has an embassy in Prague, while the Czech Republic has an embassy in Jakarta that is also accredited to Brunei, Timor Leste, Singapore and ASEAN, and honorary consulates in Bali, Makassar and Surabaya.
The French and British interregnum in the Dutch East Indies of the Dutch East Indies took place between 1806 and 1816. The French ruled between 1806 and 1811, while the British took over for 1811 to 1816 and transferred its control back to the Dutch in 1816.
France–Qatar relations are the bilateral relations between France and the Qatar. The first embassy to be established was the Qatari embassy in France in 1972, and the first bilateral agreement was signed in 1974. Qatar has marked various concurrences with France, covering all areas such as cultural, political, economical, academic, scientific and military agreements. The nations are tied in a key discourse protocol, where conversation over various issues of significance to the two capitals are occurring consistently.
France–Netherlands relations are the interstate and bilateral relations between France and the Netherlands. The two countries notably share a border division in the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, to which the northern part of the island is a French overseas collectivity known as the Collectivity of Saint Martin, while the southern part of the island is a Dutch constituent country known as Sint Maarten. Relations between the two countries date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when a conflict led to the transformation of the Dutch Republic to the Batavian Republic and eventually the Kingdom of Holland. The two countries currently enjoy close cultural and economic relations. Both nations are members of the OECD and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as founding members of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations.
Soejoedi Wirjoatmodjo was an architect in Indonesia who was active during the late 1960s and mid 1970s. In 1964, he was asked by President Sukarno to be in charge as chief architect for national architectural projects in the Jakarta. Soejoedi is considered to be the first native architect of the Post-Colonial period that is considered as a proponent of modernist architects and designers.
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