The Netherlands has a high regard for Indonesia’s role in southeast Asia in the areas of democracy and human rights. This was foreign minister Maxime Verhagen’s message in Leiden today to his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda, who is visiting the Netherlands.
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda speaks with his Dutch counterpart Maxime Verhagen following the signing of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CPA) in Jakarta on Wednesday. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama) - 15 Jan 2009
’The progress Indonesia has made in recent years is an example to the region,’ said Mr Verhagen. But the reforms must continue at full strength, including in the areas of human rights and the rule of law.’
Indonesia was one of the initiators of a regional commission on human rights and is taking an increasingly critical attitude towards countries like Burma.
At a lunch, the ministers discussed international developments and relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands. They also focused on the impact of the devastating earthquake in West Sumatra.
The ministers then visited exhibitions of Indonesian books, prints, and manuscripts at the Bibliotheca Thysiana and Leiden University library.
This evening in Wassenaar, in Mr Verhagen’s presence, Mr Wirajuda will present Indonesian state decorations to former Dutch foreign minister Bernard Bot, MEP Hans van Baalen, and former chair of the Horizon Holland Foundation Jacques Brijl.
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