Indonesia and Italy established diplomatic relations on 29 December 1949.[1] Italy has shown strong desire to improve its relations with Indonesia, especially in intercultural understanding and trade.[2] Indonesia recognizes Italy's strategic location and important role in the middle of Mediterranean region, while Italy has favoured relations with Indonesia, and sees Indonesia as the leader in Southeast Asia.[3] The relations between two countries not only important to bridge the two regional communities; European Union and ASEAN, but also vital as intercultural and interfaith dialog,[4] since Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, and Italy is the heart of the Catholic faith.
Italian explorers were among the first Europeans that reached the Indonesian archipelago. The pioneers' reports provided initial information on Asia for later European explorers to follow during the Age of Exploration. In the late 13th-century, Marco Polo made a stop in Samudra Pasai, Aceh, Northern Sumatra, on his way back from East Asia. In the early 14th-century, Mattiussi, a Franciscan friar, visited several places in today's Indonesia: Sumatra, Java, and Banjarmasin in Borneo, between 1318 and 1330. In his report, he described the gilded palace of the Javanese King and the war to the Great Khan of the Yuan dynasty. Specifically, Mattiussi visited the court of the Majapahit king Jayanegara in Trowulan.[5]
Diplomatic relations started with Italian recognition to Republic of Indonesia on 29 December 1949. Official Indonesian representation in Rome was established in March 1952, while the Italian Republic had established its official representative in Jakarta in October 1952. In December 1953, both governments agreed to upgrade the status of their representatives in Rome and Jakarta into embassies.[6]
State visits
In 1997, the Prime Minister of Italy Romano Prodi visited Indonesia, and in 2002 the President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, had his official visit to Italy, followed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's visit in 2003.[6] The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries signed an MoU of the establishment of Bilateral Consultation Forum in March 2009. In 23–24 April 2012, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi visited Indonesia to attend the EU-ASEAN Summit.[3]
Trade and investment
In 2012, the bilateral trade figures reached US$4.5 billion. The Italian government describes Indonesian proposal to boost bilateral trade as extremely attractive, and both countries noted there is room for growth.[3]
Interculture and interfaith dialog
As the nation with the largest Muslim population, with a democratic government that values diversity, Italy recruited Indonesia on its efforts to pursue world peace through interfaith dialog in 2009. Italy and Indonesia share their determination to work for peace in the Middle East as well as concern over human rights and commitment to fighting fundamentalist-inspired terrorism. Italy complements Indonesia's quality of cultural diversity and its potential role to become the bridge between the West and Islam.[7]
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.
The foreign relations of Thailand are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
China and Indonesia established formal diplomatic relations in 1950, more commonly referred to as Sino-Indonesian relations. Prior to this, for many centuries, the two countries maintained a variety of relations mainly in informal trade. Under Sukarno’s presidency, from 1945 to 1967, relations with China deepened, as in the early 1960s Sukarno embarked on a series of aggressive foreign policies under the rubric of anti-imperialism and personally championed the Non-Aligned Movement. These developments led to increasing friction with the West and closer relations both with China and the USSR.
India and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. Both countries are neighbours, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.
Malaysia–Thailand relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between the two neighbouring countries, Malaysia and Thailand. Thailand has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and consulate-general offices in George Town and Kota Bharu. Malaysia maintains an embassy in Bangkok. During Mahathir Mohamad's second term as the Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2018 to 2020, he made four visits to Thailand.
Hungary–Indonesia relations refer to bilateral relations between Hungary and Indonesia. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1955. A Hungarian embassy was opened in Jakarta in 1957. In line to Hungarian "Eastern Opening" policy, and due to Indonesian political weight and market potentials, Hungary considered Indonesia as one of the most influential states in the ASEAN. While Indonesia sees Hungary as a potential market and a strategic entrance to penetrate the markets of Central Europe and Eastern Europe. Hungary has an embassy in Jakarta and honorary consuls in Bandung and Denpasar, while Indonesia has an embassy in Budapest.
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 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 Singapore established diplomatic relations on 7 September 1967, a month after the formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967. Indonesia and Singapore are two of the five founding members of ASEAN. Both nations are also members of the Non-Aligned Movement and APEC.
Indonesia and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1955. Indonesia has an embassy in Hanoi. Vietnam has an embassy in Jakarta. Both are neighboring nations that have a maritime border which lies on the South China Sea and are members of ASEAN and APEC.
Indonesia and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1949. Indonesia has an embassy in Yangon, while Myanmar has an embassy in Jakarta.
Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1984. Since then, both country enjoys warm and friendly relations. Brunei has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. Indonesia and Brunei don't share direct land borders. Since diplomatic relations were established back in 1984, Overall relations between the two countries were progressing well and that both sides continued to enjoy strong ties in a wide spectrum of co-operations; including trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, marine and fisheries, health, defence, transnational crimes, education, youth, culture and people-to-people contacts.
Bangladesh and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1971. Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country, whereas Bangladesh is the world's fourth largest Muslim country. They are partners in the United Nations and various multilateral organisations, particularly in international peacekeeping, the Developing 8 Countries, the Non-Aligned Movement, the World Trade Organization and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Bangladesh has an embassy in Jakarta, whereas Indonesia has an embassy in Dhaka. Official diplomatic relations were established in 1972 after Indonesia became one of the first Muslim countries to recognise independent Bangladesh.
Indonesia and Morocco established diplomatic relations in 1960. Both are the Muslim-majority countries; Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, while Morocco is also a Muslim majority nation. Morocco praised Indonesia as a strong democratic nation, and pointed out that both nations face the same challenges of separatism and terrorism. Diplomatic relations were established in 1960. Indonesia has an embassy in Rabat and a consulate in Casablanca, while Morocco has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Group of 77, Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Indonesia and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1952. In 2010, the heads of state of the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Switzerland has named Indonesia as one of seven priority countries for economic development cooperation. Indonesia has an embassy in Bern, while Switzerland has an embassy in Jakarta, also accredited for East Timor and ASEAN.
Indonesia and Sweden established diplomatic relations in 1952. In recent years both nations demonstrate growing keenness to improve bilateral relations, as each head of government exchanged visits. Indonesia has an embassy in Stockholm that also accredited to Latvia, while Sweden has an embassy in Jakarta that also accredited to East Timor.
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.
Ecuador–Indonesia relations refer to bilateral relations between Ecuador and Indonesia. Relations were established on April 29, 1980; however, it was not until November 2004 that Ecuador established its embassy in Jakarta, and reciprocating 6 years later on November 11, 2010, that Indonesia finally opened its embassy in Quito. Both countries are the members of Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation and Non-Aligned Movement.
Indonesia–Solomon Islands relations refers to foreign relations between Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands has opened their embassy in Jakarta since August 2014, while Indonesian embassy in Port Moresby is also accredited to Solomon Islands. Indonesia is a gateway for Pacific countries to enter the ASEAN and Asian region, while Indonesia wishes to increase its influence in Pacific region. Both countries are the members of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
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