Standing here at Menara Imperium I want to tell you about the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Jakarta. This embassy symbolizes the strong relationship between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Indonesia. It is more than just a building. It represents mutual respect and cooperation.
Indonesia recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina on May 20 1992 after Yugoslavia broke up. Formal diplomatic ties were established on April 11 1994. The embassy in Jakarta plays a crucial role in fostering these relations.
Indonesia’s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina began with humanitarian efforts. Moved by the ethnic cleansing against Muslim Bosniaks during the Bosnian War Indonesians organized help. This support included donations peacekeeping forces and the Istiqlal Mosque in Sarajevo.
The Istiqlal Mosque is one of Sarajevo’s largest mosques. Indonesians often call it the Suharto Mosque. President Suharto initiated it in 1995. It was a gift to replace mosques destroyed during the war.
Indonesia contributed to peace efforts by sending troops from 1992 to 1996 under UNPROFOR. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono a future Indonesian President led the military observer contingent. He was a chief military observer in 1995 and 1996.
President Suharto visited Sarajevo in March 1995. He mediated the Bosnian War conflict and showed sympathy for the Muslim population. His visit occurred during heightened conflict.
Bosnia and Herzegovina established their embassy in Jakarta in 1998. Before 2010 Indonesian interests were managed through the embassy in Budapest. Indonesia finally established an embassy in Sarajevo on November 10 2010.
The Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Jakarta is located in Menara Imperium. You can reach them at +62 21 837 03 022. The embassy offers services such as passport issuance document notarization and visa services. It also assists Bosnian citizens in emergencies.
The distance between Jakarta and Sarajevo is over 10411 kilometers. Jakarta is six hours ahead of Sarajevo. The embassy’s office hours are generally from 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays.
Bilateral trade between the two countries was about US$1.5 million in 2008. Indonesia exports cacao furniture and wheat products. It imports electrical products and mechanical equipment.
In recent years Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have strengthened ties. They signed an MoU to deepen cooperation in trade investment and tourism. They also plan to revitalize interfaith dialogue.
Political relations are positive. Both countries respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. Indonesia aims to deepen collaboration in multilateral diplomacy. They intend to promote political discourse through high-level visits.
Indonesia wants to increase the entry of Indonesian products into the Bosnian market. They also want Bosnian businesses to use Indonesia as a gateway to ASEAN.
The Indonesian government provides scholarships for Bosnian students. These scholarships support studying Indonesian language arts and culture. They also encourage student exchange programs.
The Indonesian diaspora in Bosnia and Herzegovina is growing. This is due to mixed marriages between Indonesian and Bosnian citizens. The Indonesian Embassy actively promotes Indonesian culture through art festivals and exhibitions.
Indonesia is keen to strengthen trade and investment with Bosnia and Herzegovina. They encourage business meetings and facilitate connections. They promote Indonesian products such as coffee tea and spices. They also promote the tourism sector.
The Ambassador of Indonesia to Bosnia and Herzegovina finds the country’s history culture and landscapes fascinating. He appreciates the warm hospitality of the people. He also values the strong bonds between the two nations.
So next time you pass by remember that the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Jakarta is a symbol. It stands for a lasting friendship and a commitment to mutual growth.