Yerevan, Armenia – Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine and the Republic of Armenia and Georgia Arief Basalamah presented a Letter of Credence from President Joko Widodo to the President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan at the Presidential Palace, Yerevan (14/11). The ceremony was followed by a bilateral meeting between the Ambassador and the President of Armenia.
At the bilateral meeting’s outset, the Indonesian Ambassador conveyed warm greetings from President Joko Widodo to the President of Armenia. The meeting also discussed relations between the two countries. Regarding the economic aspect, the President of Armenia highlighted Indonesia’s significant economic growth in 2022, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this growth, the President of Armenia hopes that economic cooperation between Indonesia and Armenia can be enhanced. According to local statistics, the import value of Indonesian products by Armenia in 2022 will reach $42.6 million.
The Indonesian Ambassador also expressed his commitment to encourage increased trade and investment, one of which is through various business forums that are regularly held in Indonesia with the involvement of Armenian businesspeople in the Indonesia – Europe Business Forum and Trade Expo Indonesia which are held annually to explore trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. In addition, the Indonesian Ambassador also invited Armenian businesspeople to access Trade Expo Indonesia 2023 which is still ongoing online until December 2023.
In addition to the economic sphere, socio-cultural issues were also discussed at the bilateral meeting. Indonesia hopes to create cooperation between universities in Indonesia and Armenia to share knowledge in the field of science and technology, as well as invite Armenian students to study in Indonesia. This is to encourage people-to-people contact which can have a positive impact on improving bilateral relations between Indonesia and Armenia.
In addition, to facilitate diplomacy, President Khachaturyan specifically expressed the hope that Indonesia could immediately open a permanent diplomatic representative office in Yerevan. Armenia has had an embassy in Jakarta since 2013. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government has appointed Dr Yervand Voskanyan as Honorary Consul in Yerevan since 2005 until now.
The handover of the Letter of Credence signifies the official start of Arief Basalamah’s assignment as the non-resident Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia. President Khachaturyan congratulated the Ambassador on his new assignment and hoped that in the future the bilateral relations between the two countries will be even closer and mutually beneficial.
Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia
