Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Portugal: Indonesia-Portugal Diplomacy Continues to Develop in Various Sectors

Diorama Room, UIN News Online - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of Portugal, H.E. Rudy Alfonso, SH. MH, through his speech revealed that Indonesia and Portugal continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including politics, economy, socio-culture, and education in a public lecture held in the Diorama Room of the Harun Nasution building of UIN Jakarta on Tuesday (13/8/2024).

In the political field, Rudi explained that one of the duties of the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) is to maintain the territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia. In addition, the Embassy has also done many things related to fundraising activities for the Countries of the International Organization (NJO).

In the field of environment, Indonesia participated in the UN Ocean Conference in Portugal which discussed the issues of climate change, maritime pollution, and waste. In addition, Commission I of the House of Representatives conducted a working visit to Portugal. Indonesia also holds the chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee in Lisbon - Portugal (ACLP).

In the economic sector, the volume of trade between Indonesia and Portugal is not very large mainly due to distance. Because of the distance, there are not too many exports from Indonesia to Portugal," he added. However, Indonesia still exports several commodities such as footwear, seafood, rubber, synthetic fibers, and steel. Meanwhile, Indonesia's imports from Portugal include industrial machinery, electronic devices, paper, and coffee.

Other cooperation that is being developed is in the fields of water and sanitation, investment, and tourism. The Indonesian Embassy in Lisbon also actively promotes Indonesian culinary, seminars, trade shows, and visits to potential companies in Portugal.

"This effort is a strategic step, currently there are several Indonesian restaurants in Portugal that have generated income," Rudi added.

In the socio-cultural and education sectors, the Indonesian Embassy facilitates educational cooperation, such as the signing of an MoU between Hasanuddin University and the University of Lisbon, as well as student exchanges. In addition, there is also archival cooperation and Indonesian language courses.

"There are already several Indonesian students studying there for magister and doctoral program," Rudi explained.

According to Rudi, cooperation in the political field is a very prominent achievement of the Indonesian Embassy and cannot be valued with material. There have been many attempts to destabilize Indonesia, but Portugal has played an extraordinary role in countering these efforts. Furthermore, from the economic sector, trade volume increased by 2000 percent.

Finally, Rudi stated that Portugal is very open to expanding cooperation with campuses in his country. By continuing to establish close diplomacy, Indonesia-Portugal relations are expected to be stronger in the future.

Check out the live streaming recording of the public lecture through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/LjfAQjNa0w8?si=mlsmKE8o53jXG1X4

(Shely Nurloka/Fauziah M./Dzihan Aufa kilmi F./Photo: Adib Taufiqurrahman, Hermanudin)