Diplomatic Relations - History

The history of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Portugal formally commenced on the time when Portugal opened its diplomatic and consular representative’s office at the legation level in Jakarta on May 13, 1950. The opening was a follow-up of the recognition of the Indonesian independence on December 28, 1949 by Portugal (the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945). Indonesia appointed Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung (Minister), Paris-residence as the Indonesian representative to Portugal officially started on June 26, 1951. Since then, Indonesia opened its diplomatic and consular representative in Lisbon and appointed the officials, namely, Soerianata Djoemena (June 24, 1954), Zainal Abidin (May 24, 1957) and Achmad Djumiril (June 15 1961). Since then the bilateral relations went through “on and off” in particular after the East Timor issue came to surface.

Since 1989, the contacts between the Indonesian Government and the Portuguese Government started under the auspices of the United Nation, called tripartite dialogue, to seek a just, peaceful and comprehensive solution and being accepted by international community on East Timor issue. On January 29, 1999, the Indonesian government sent its two diplomats to Lisbon and conversely, the Portuguese government sent its two diplomats to Jakarta in the end of February 1999. This policy reflected concerted efforts in Confidence Building Measures in conformity with the Agreement Between Portugal and Indonesia on the Establishment of Interests Sections on November 27, 1998 to open Interest Sections in the capital of both countries. The Indonesian Interest Section office situated in Thai Embassy in Lisbon, while the Portuguese Interest Section office in the Dutch Embassy. The interests sections competence covered diplomatic and consular functions based on the Vienna Convention concerning the Diplomatic and Consular Relations 1961 and 1963. Diplomatic Relations By virtue of the New York Agreement on May 5, 1999 the self determination for East Timorese agreed upon. The result of the ballot on August 30, 1999 won by pro-independence group and admitted by the Indonesian government through constitutionally the People’s Assembly Decree (TAP MPR RI No. V/1999. The ceremony of East Timorese independence on May 20, 2002 opened new page of Indonesia-East Timorese relations and the attendance of the Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri in the ceremony generally welcome positively by Portuguese community.

The opening of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Portugal based on the Joint Communiqué Concerning the Re-Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Indonesia and the Portuguese Republic signed by the two countries’ representatives to the United Nations on December 1999 in New York. With a view to further enhancing relations with Portugal, the Indonesian Government then appointed H.E. Mr. Harry P. Haryono as the first Indonesian Ambassador to Portugal, particularly after the above mentioned Joint Communiqué. The Ambassador submitted his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the President of the Portuguese Republic on January 31, 2001. In the middle of year 2000, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities of the Portuguese Republic visited Indonesia and invited its counterpart to visit Portugal. By virtue of that invitation and as a return visit, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Nur Hassan Wirajuda visited Portugal on July 9 – 11, 2003. At this visit, the Indonesian Foreign Minister and his Portuguese counterpart signed two bilateral cooperation agreements, namely: a. Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and the Portuguese Republic on Cultural and Educational Cooperation, b. Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and the Portuguese Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income This visit will be an unequivocal reflection of the enhancement of the good existing relations between the two friendly countries, particularly since the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Lisbon, and the opening of the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta. The enhancement of bilateral relations is also reflected by the exchange of visit of the high ranking officials, members of parliament, businessmen, intellectuals of the two countries; Indonesia has provided one year non-degree scholarship to two Portuguese students to learn Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) at the outstanding universities in Indonesia in cooperation with the Fundação Oriente of Portugal; In its efforts to enhance relations between the two countries, the Indonesian Embassy in cooperation with other institutions in Portugal has organized various activities, such as Photograph Exhibitions, Cultural and Dance performances, paintings exhibition, handy crafts exhibition and Indonesian Film Festival. In the near future, there is an optimistic conviction that the bilateral relations could be further enhanced and enlarged in various fields in which are not deeply and fully explored by the two friendly countries.