Indonesia-Romania Relations

Indonesia-Romania Relations

 

Vision of IRSEA. Romania has been continuously appreciated as a trustworthy partner by the countries in Asia. The bilateral relations between Romania and the Asian countries are free of direct political issues and with a rich history and dynamic developments over many years. Likewise, the relations between Romania and the Asian states are similarly robust at multilateral level, with a particularly strong cooperation at the UN, ASEM, ASEAN and other international formats.

In the aftermath of her 1989 democratic breakthrough, Romania has channeled utmost efforts towards deepening the integration within the European and Euro-Atlantic structures with an aim to safeguard her new democratic path, security and well-being of the Romanian people; it is against this backdrop that the bilateral relations with countries in other regions of the world have apparently developed at a different pace.

According to the Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, the country’s bilateral relations with her partners in Asia, and not only, are expected to gain momentum starting with 2023: “At the same time, the investment of new energy is needed to reconnect or keep close, as the case may be, Romania's friends and partners in the Middle East, the Gulf, Africa, the Indo-Pacific and Latin America. In the current moment of global crossroads, it is not geographical distances that matter, but the proximity of values and action in mutual support when needed.” (Speech at the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, 2022)

It is in this ambit that IRSEA continues to actively support, through all its means and its status as officially recognized think-tank, Romania’s steady efforts to further strengthen her long, continuous and sincere bilateral relations with her partners and friends in Asia. There is a need to know each other better, which is the target of IRSEA’s newest project titled “IRSEA Bridges to Asia”- an avenue opened for High Officials, Ambassadors, IRSEA partners and professional analysts, from both Asia and Romania.

 

 

Indonesia-Romania Relations

 

The bilateral relations between Indonesia and Romania have been vividly illustrated by H.E. Mr. Amhar Azeth, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Romania, Honorary Member of IRSEA.

In his brief but comprehensive op-ed, His Excellency Ambassador Azeth identifies multiple commonalities between the Romanian and Indonesian peoples, commonalities which could also be thought of as bridges between the so geographically far, yet so similar peoples of Indonesia and Romania.

 

I would like to open this article with an anecdote I created from observing the similiarities between Indonesia and Romania. It goes like this:

Imagine a group of Indonesian tourists visiting Romania for the first time. One day, they decided to try a traditional Romanian dish called "mici", which is a type of grilled minced meat. However, the Indonesian tourists misheard the name of the dish as "micin", which is a popular brand of seasoning in Indonesia. Thinking that they were trying a new type of seasoning, they sprinkled the "mici" all over their food, only to discover that it was actually meat!

The Romanian hosts were amused by the misunderstanding and decided to play along, pretending that they had never heard of seasoning called "micin" before. The Indonesian tourists eventually realized their mistake and joined in the laughter, realizing that cultural differences can lead to funny and unexpected experiences.

 

As the former ambassador of Indonesia to Romania, I had the opportunity to witness the dynamic relationship between these two countries firsthand. Although they are located on opposite sides of the world and have vastly different cultures, Indonesia and Romania also share many similarities that make for a fascinating relationship.

One area of commonality between these two countries is their rich folklore and mythology. As an ambassador, I was always interested in learning about the local culture and traditions of Romania, and I was amazed by the stories of ghosts, supernatural beings, and mythical creatures that are found in Romanian folklore. It was interesting to compare these stories to those of Indonesia, which also has a rich tradition of mythological creatures and supernatural beings.

Another area of shared interest between Indonesia and Romania is their love of food. As someone who enjoys trying new foods, I was always excited to sample the local cuisine in Romania. From hearty stews to savory pastries, Romanian cuisine has a unique flavor profile that is unlike anything I had ever tasted before. Similarly, Indonesian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and use of spices and fresh ingredients. Both cuisines are delicious and worth trying.

When it comes to the economy, there are also opportunities for collaboration between Indonesia and Romania. During my tenure as ambassador, I made it a priority to explore ways to strengthen economic ties between these two countries. I was particularly interested in the potential for technology transfer, where Romanian companies could share their expertise in areas like engineering and software development with Indonesian companies. Similarly, Indonesian companies could share their knowledge and expertise in areas like agriculture and manufacturing with Romanian companies. By working together, both countries could benefit from this knowledge exchange and develop mutually beneficial partnerships.

Another area where Indonesia and Romania could work together is in the field of tourism. Romania has a rich history and culture that is unlike anything else in Europe, and Indonesia is known for its beautiful natural landscapes and vibrant culture. By promoting tourism between the two countries, we could encourage more people to learn about each other's cultures and traditions. This could also lead to new business opportunities, as tourism creates demand for services like hotels, restaurants, and transportation.

One area that could be improved is trade. Although there is some economic cooperation between Indonesia and Romania, there is still room for growth. In particular, Indonesia could benefit from importing more Romanian goods, such as machinery, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. Similarly, Romanian companies could benefit from exporting more goods to Indonesia, such as automotive parts and equipment. By promoting trade between these two countries, we could create new jobs and boost economic growth.

Another area where Indonesia and Romania could work together is in the field of education. Both countries have strong education systems, and there is potential for cooperation in areas like language learning, teacher training, and academic research. By promoting academic exchanges between the two countries, we could encourage more people to learn about each other's cultures and traditions. This could also lead to new business opportunities, as academic research often leads to innovation and the development of new technologies.

Manufacturing is an important industry for both Indonesia and Romania, and there are opportunities for collaboration in this field. Romania is known for its expertise in engineering and manufacturing, particularly in the areas of automotive parts and equipment. Indonesian companies could benefit from partnering with Romanian companies to develop new manufacturing techniques and technologies, particularly in areas like precision engineering and metalworking.

Agriculture is another area where Indonesia and Romania could collaborate. Indonesia has a thriving agriculture industry, with a focus on crops like rice, palm oil, and coffee. Romania also has a strong agricultural sector, with a focus on crops like wheat, barley, and corn. By sharing knowledge and expertise, these two countries could develop new techniques for improving crop yields and increasing food production.

Renewable energy is an important area of focus for both Indonesia and Romania. Indonesia is one of the world's largest producers of geothermal energy, and has significant potential for wind and solar power as well. Romania has also made significant investments in renewable energy, particularly in the areas of wind and solar power. By sharing knowledge and expertise, these two countries could accelerate the development of renewable energy technologies and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Military armament and weaponry is an area of interest for both Indonesia and Romania. Romania has a long history of producing military hardware, including firearms, missiles, and other weapons systems. Indonesia has also made significant investments in its military, and has a strong defense industry. By working together, these two countries could share knowledge and expertise in areas like weapons design and manufacturing, as well as military training and tactics.

In conclusion, Indonesia and Romania have many opportunities for collaboration in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, military armament, and weaponry. By working together, these two countries can share knowledge and expertise, create new jobs, and accelerate economic growth. As a former ambassador, I believe that there is great potential for Indonesia and Romania to build even stronger relationships and find new opportunities for collaboration in the years ahead.

 

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or view of IRSEA.