Vucic: Serbia, Indonesia have nurtured friendship based on trust, understanding

JAKARTA - Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations 70 years ago, Serbia and Indonesia have nurtured a friendship and partnership that has always been based on mutual trust and understanding, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic noted in an article published in the Jakarta Post.

"The fact that Indonesia and Serbia provide each other with unwavering support on issues of vital national importance has special value in our modern relations. Serbia deeply respects the principled position and support of Indonesia on the issue of Kosovo-Metohija. Indonesia’s persistent support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, and respect for the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter have strongly convinced us that it will continue to help us reach a sustainable and mutually acceptable solution for our southern province through dialogue," Vucic wrote.

"Serbia and Indonesia, which have fostered a rich history of mutual friendship and cooperation, are marking a significant anniversary this year: 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations on November 4, 1954. The friendship between the two nations has a rich history. It is based on the common values of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which we have been building together since the first conference of the movement in Belgrade in 1961, under the leadership of then-president of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, with the support of Indonesian leader Sukarno.

Our two countries have since nurtured a friendship and partnership which has always been based on mutual trust and understanding. The recently renewed tradition of exchanging visits at the highest levels has provided additional impetus to the further development of our ties. We are particularly proud that this year two important visits to the Republic of Serbia from our Indonesian counterparts were realised In July, we had the opportunity to welcome Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto. We are also very pleased that in August of this year, Indonesian House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani graced this significant anniversary of our bilateral relations with her visit to Belgrade, recognising the exceptional potential to further strengthen cooperation between our countries. Furthermore, on October 20, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic visited Jakarta for the inauguration of President Prabowo. We deeply believe his visit will further contribute to strengthening ties and enhancing cooperation between our two countries," Vucic noted.

"Indonesia is not only a reliable and highly important partner of Serbia in Southeast Asia, but also an increasingly significant actor on the global political scene. It is a member of the Group of 20, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and ASEAN, through which Serbia seeks to further promote and intensify cooperation, bearing in mind that it maintains traditionally friendly relations with all members of this group. Serbia also recognises that ASEAN presents special opportunities for the development of economic cooperation. This is illustrated by Serbia joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia in September 2023 at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, where Indonesia's support played an important role. The TAC promotes the goals of lasting peace, mutual respect for independence, equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity and national identity for all peoples.

These are the same goals by which Serbia is guided as it pursues its foreign policy. ASEAN member states have unanimously agreed that relations with the Republic of Serbia should be built precisely on those foundations. We proudly point out that Indonesia was the largest trading partner of Serbia in the Southeast Asian region in 2023, with the total trade in goods with Indonesia amounting to 251.2 mln dollars. This accounted for 27.4 pct of Serbia’s trade with ASEAN countries, which totaled 916.3 mln dollars," Vucic also wrote.

"I am convinced that the generations to come will continue to nurture the exceptional ties between our two countries, building a future in which Serbia and Indonesia will continue to be reliable partners, both bilaterally and globally. Long live the friendship between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Indonesia," Vucic concluded.