INTERVIEW: AMELIA ACHMAD YANI, AMBASSADOR OF INDONESIA TO BIH
Interviewed by: Ajsela MEKIĆ
SARAJEVO, June 6 (ONASA) – Ambassador of Indonesia to BiH Amelia Achmad Yani in an interview for the Agency ONASA, among other things, speaks whether and to what extent it is possible to improve the relations between BiH and Indonesia, especially in the economic sector, the trade exchange between the two countries, the tourism cooperation of BiH and Indonesia, how many women in Indonesia are represented in political life…
ONASA: Is it and to what extent possible to improve relations between BiH and Indonesia, especially in the economic sector?
YANI: Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have a long history, back to the era when Yugoslavia was a member of the Non-Aligned movement. During that period, in 1960s Indonesia still fought against many rebellions and need weapons and ammunition. Yugoslavia was advanced in this field, 60 % of Army industries were located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I would say these were the first economic trade relations. From 1995 – 2000 Indonesia went through very difficult economic crisis. Yugoslavia also suffered a very bad situation with the war 1992-1995. The relationship between two countries was stagnant during that period.
ONASA: What is the trade exchange when it comes to our two countries, in what is it reflected and whether there are plans for its improvement?
YANI: Now the relationship between the two countries is going in the right direction. First people to people contact, a number of Bosnians are married to Indonesian women, the children of these mixed marriages have two nationalities but when they reached 18 years of age these children can decide for themselves which nationality they are going to chose. Indonesia has already opened the door for tourism with no visa required to come to Indonesia for the period of 30 days. The Government of Indonesia targeted around 20 millions tourists to visit Indonesia. Several delegations of the two countries are to visits, at the ministerial levels in trade, industry and tourism. The Chairman of BiH Presidency is expected to visit Indonesia as the state guest in October this year. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH is scheduled to visit Bali in December for Bali Conference. Also, BiH and Indonesia already have a broad plan to invest human expertise in power plant for transmission in Sumatra and hydropower plant in Papua. BiH will purchase coffee, palm oil from Indonesia and Indonesia will purchase milk and honey from BiH.
ONASA: Dominant characteristics of your country is the diversity of cultures and languages. Is there and to what extent the cooperation between BiH and Indonesia in the field of culture, education, science and sport?
YANI: Indonesian Embassy will organize a cultural evening with classical dance from Java, coffee exhibition and handicraft exhibition in the month of September in Sarajevo. Indonesian Embassy will organize Bahasa Indonesia program free of charge once a week at the Embassy. We are also working on building up relationship between universities and there will be 40-50 students from Indonesia, between 14 and 17 years of age, who during the school holiday will stay and train football at the Academy of Football in Sarajevo.
ONASA: Your country is very interesting for tourists. Are there any plans to improve tourism cooperation between BiH and Indonesia?
YANI: In the tourism sector, both countries have to work together in this sector. We will try to find not too expensive trip. For example we shall organize for tourists from BiH and from Balkan to visit eastern part of Indonesia where beautiful scenery and beautiful beaches can be explored, plus the cousine, culture and sun with nice and warm Indonesian people. Indonesian citizens can visit the beautiful scenery of mountainous BiH, waterfalls and warm people, eat cream cheese and homemade bread, plums and cherries, delicious trouts, beef, veal. So delicious.
ONASA: You are the Ambassador of your country in BiH. How much are women represented in political life of Indonesia, and what is the position of women in general in Indonesia?
YANI: The law stipulated that participation of women in politics is 30 %. But in fact only 15 % are now in Parliament. 1-2 % as head of Districts. 60-75 % people live in rural area. We had a President like Megawati Sukarnoputri and 5 women in the Cabinet at present. Women are involved in business, high level education but a great number of women are still in the household.
ONASA: How do you assess the current political situation in BiH?
YANI: The current politics in BiH, in my opinion, are moving toward better situation. It is not easy for somebody like me to learn about the system in BiH, in my opinion it is little complicated but as I am learning more deeply, I will reach a better understanding of the political situation in BiH. (end)