Estonia and Indonesia

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Estonia and Indonesia

Bilateral relations

(last updated: 12.12.2011)

Indonesia recognised the Republic of Estonia on 16 September 1991; and diplomatic relations were established on 5 July 1993.

Indonesia’s first ambassador to Estonia was I. Gusti Ngurah Gedh (from 1993-1996), followed by Petronella Margaretha Luhulima (1996-1999), Ahmad Fauzie Gani (2000-2003) and Iris Indira Murti (2004-2007), and Harry Purwanto (2008-2011). Indonesia is currently in the process of appointing a new ambassador.

On the basis of a representation agreement, Finland has represented Estonia for the issuing of visas in Indonesia since 17 March 2008.

Visits

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Trivimi Velliste met with Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas in June 1993 in Vienna.

In September 2007, a meeting between Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda took place within the framework of the UN General Assembly.

In September 2011 a meeting took place between foreign ministers Urmas Paet and Marty Natalegawa within the framework of the UN General Assembly.

Consultations take place between the foreign ministries of Estonia and Indonesia. The last consultations took place in September 2011 in Tallinn.

Agreements

On 15 April 2002 an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation was signed.

Economic Relations

TRADE

In 2009, Indonesia ranked as Estonia’s 50th trade partner.

Estonian-Indonesian trade 2005-2010 (million EUR):

Year	Exports	Imports	Balance
2005	3.4	1.6	1.8
2006	1	2.9	-1.9
2007	3.7	5.7	-2.0
2008	1.6	5.5	-3.9
2009	3.0	5.5	-2.5
2010	1.8	7.4	-5.6

Source: Estonian Statistical Office

Main export articles in 2010:

Metals and metal products – 1 158 145 EUR
Paper pulp and paper products – 380 722 EUR
Machinery and equipment – 157 636 EUR

Main import articles in 2010:

Animal and plant-based fats and oils – 4 508 989 EUR
Machinery and equipment – 1 350 794 EUR
Rubber and rubber products – 358 235 EUR
Paper pulp and paper products – 242 058 EUR
Furniture – 223 754 EUR

Historic Contacts

Sumatra was mentioned already in early Estonian literature: the second volume of J. W. L. von Luce's textbook "Sarema Jutto ramat" (1812). The Indonesian language word uranutan (orang hutan - forest man) in Otto W. Masing's work "Pühhapäwa Wahhe-luggemissed” (1818). A list of Indonesia's best known islands were printed in B. Gildenmann's school-book "Mailma made öppetus" (1849). J. Jürison's travel articles on Indonesian everyday life, published in "Eesti Postimees" in 1866-1869. Writer Andres Saal worked as a zincographer in Surabaya (1898-1902) and as a manager of the photo atelier of the Dutch Army's topographic service in Batavia (1902-1920).

After the departure of Andres Saal, the Shanghai Estonian Society attempted in vain to establish a small agrarian colony for Estonians in 1921. During the interwar period just a few Estonians lived in Indonesia. In 1928 E. Riisman travelled through the Malay Archipelago as a tourist. In 1927, a mission was planned in Batavia for the purpose of developing the Estonian consular network, but it was not carried out. Estonia's official contacts with Indonesia were handled through its consulates in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Source: Olaf Klaassen, "Aasia ja Aafrika 16.-19. sajandil ning kontaktid Eestiga" (Asia and Africa during the 16th-19th centuries and contacts with Estonia) .