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Bogotá, November 5th, 2008, The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Colombia, H.E. Michael Menufandu paid a visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia Jaime Bermudez in the San Carlos Palace at 16.00 hrs. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to improve and enhance bilateral relations, particularly regarding trade and investment between both countries. The first topic to discuss was the facilitation of a Colombian Trade Mission to Indonesia. This subject had been previously discussed between the Colombian and Indonesian Chancellors, Mr. Bermudez and Mr. Hassan Wirajuda during a meeting in New York. Historically, Colombia and Indonesia have had an excellent diplomatic relationship based on mutual support; likewise, two countries share the same opinion on the importance of a trade mission aimed at raising understanding and knowledge regarding business opportunities among the businessmen of Colombia and Indonesia.
The second topic during the meeting was the bio fuel industry; Ambassador Menufandu reiterated again his government willingness to cooperate with Colombian in developing palm plantations and the palm oil industry.
The third point during the meeting was the upcoming APEC CO Summit. In order to enhance both trade and bilateral relations, Indonesia considers important to have a multilateral economic support, particularly under the APEC cooperation scheme. Therefore, Indonesia considers positively ceasing the moratorium on membership and will recommend Colombia to become a member economy.
Finally, Ambassador Menufandu conveyed his wish to see the Colombian Embassy in Indonesia reopened. The Chencellor started by answering the last topic. He explained that serious fiscal constrains this is not possible in a foreseeable future but assured the Colombia government is looking new ways to satisfy the huge demand on consular matters and deal efficiently with the paperwork that it generate. On the subject of the Trade Mission, the chancellor assured the Ambassador that he would pass the information to the officers in charge to start the facilitation of a mixed mission. Due to the forthcoming elections in Indonesia, it was the most appropriate time for it to take place would be at the end of the first semester of 2009. On the subject of bio fuels, the Chancellor referred the issue to FEDEPALMA and said they were in charge of the negotiation to import certified environmentally friendly seeds from Indonesia. The Chancellor thanked Ambassador Menufandu and expressed his appreciation for him being the main channel of communication between the two government and for his support regarding the APEC summit in Peru. He also conveyed the Colombian Government interest in setting a meeting between both presidents of Indonesia and Colombia and how President Uribe is really are looking forward to meet up with president of Indonesia during the summit. The reunion concluded with Ambassador Menufandu thanking for the attention and time by offering the Chancellor two representative Indonesian present. They both bided farewell having established licks of support between both countries.
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On August 21,2008, the embassy has carried out the independence reception in the Ambassador residence
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On August 17, 2008, the embassy has celebrated the 63 year of the independence of Indonesia. |
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During the week of Independence of Indonesia, the embassy has carried out a gastronomical event in Hotel La Fontana in order to promote the culture and cuisine of Indonesia. |
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On August 02, 2008, the embassy has developed a sport day to establish a good social relationship with the employee and jointly to commemorate the independence of Indonesia.
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On June 1, 2008. By the initiative of the Ambassador, was carried out a walking exercise in one of the bike line of the city in order to give incentive of sport and promoting the integration of all the staff of the Embassy. The walking exercise was started at 8.30 a.m. from the embassy to the park of El Virrey.
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Presentation of Credential Letters
Today on 27th of May 2008 at 11.00 AM at the Presidential Palace Casa de Nariño, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Michael Menufandu presented Credentials Letters to the President of Colombia H.E. Alvaro Uribe Velez. With this ceremony H.E. Michael Menufandu has officially assumed the position as the Indonesian Ambassador before the Government of the Republic of Colombia.
In the discussion session after the ceremony, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe conveys his warm regards to the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and to all of the Indonesian People. President Uribe furthermore present his admires of President Yudhoyono’s successes in managing the recovery after Tsunami’s hit Indonesia in 2004 and in combating terrorism.
As President Uribe mentions, Indonesia is an enormous country in terms of habitants and territorial size, which can only be compared to United States and Brazil in the American Continent. It is therefore he warmly welcomes H.E. Michael Menufandu, as the new Indonesian Ambassador, and put forward a suggestion to hold a more specific meeting in searching and developing fields of cooperation between the two countries.
H.E. Michael Menufandu expresses his gratitude for the President Uribe’s warmhearted acceptance and pass on the warm regards from the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and People, to the Presiden Uribe and the People of Colombia.
Ambassador Menufandu underlines that Indonesia has continuously develop the process of democratization and building national economy after the Asian Crisis in 1997. Thus, Indonesia and Colombia share a lot of similarities in particular in the endeavor to develop states prosperity and economy. Consequently, Ambassador Menufandu pledges to identify fields of cooperation that can be developed between the two countries and to augmented bilateral relation during his tenure in Colombia..
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Credential Copies Letters
Bogota, May 12 , 2008. The Councilor, Fernando Araujo, received today in Palacio de San Carlos the Credentials copy letters from the ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Michael Menufandu before the Government of Colombia.
The ambassador Menufandu is a member active of the International Local Authorities Union (1989-2007), the Post-Dialogue Forum of the Pacific Island (2001-2007) and with the Science Government Society of Indonesia (2000-2007).
The ambassador has occupied as the Deputy Director for the local Government of the Province of Papua (1982 - 1992), Mayor of Jayapura city (1988 - 1993), member of the Province Government of Papua (1994 -2000), Director of Law and Capacity for Departmental Construction Execution (2001 - 2002), Director of the Ministry for Acceleration and Development of the eastern regions of Indonesia and Vice-minister for Economic, Social and Culture Development of Indonesia (2002-2005).
Michael Menufandu has made his pre-degree in Science Government in Social Government Institute in Jakarta and master in Public Administration of the University of Indonesia.
The ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia before the Government of Colombia was born on November 9, 1947 in Biak - Indonesia
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Hand over of the position
On the 9th day of May 2008 has been held ceremony of the hand over of the position of Head of Mission of the Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia in Bogota, Colombia from Mrs. Meity S. Ichwanu to H.E. Michael Menufandu. The signing ceremony and the hand over of Memorandum of Duty from Mrs. Meity to H.E. Michael Menfandu was witnessed by all of the Embassy´s Staffs and members of Dharma Wanita Persatuan.
In the opening remarks, H.E. Michael Menufandu presents his gratitude and proud to all of the Embassy´s Staffs effort and dedication in keeping the continuity of Indonesian Diplomacy in Colombia despites the vacuum of an Ambassador.
Furthermore, The Ambassador stressed that the Embassy will carry out a mission, “New Performance and New Image” in order to improve the level of bilateral relation between Indonesia and Colombia. In carrying such mission the Ambassador will act upon three principles namely Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodo, Ing Madyo Mbangun Karso , Tut Wuri Handayani.
In concluding, The Ambassador placed an Indonesia Flag Pin to Mrs. Meity S, Ichwanu and Slamat Tambunan as a symbol that each Embassy’s Staff is a representation of The Indonesian Image and Personality in Colombia. Mr. Ambassador afterward hands over the Indonesian-Colombia Flags Pin as a symbol of Friendship and Cooperation between Indonesia and Colombia. The pins were also subsequently distributed to all the Embassy’s Staffs.
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Hari Kebangkitan Nasional 100 Tahun
On 21th of May, 2008, The Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian citizens in Colombia held a national ceremony of “100 Tahun Hari Kebangkitan Nasional” or 100 years of National Resurrections’ which was initiated by the Boedi Utomo organization in Stovia on 20 th May 1920
As the first political movement in Indonesia, Budi Utomo´s initiation is a crucial momentum in Indonesian history of independence, as it encourages the establishment of political and social organizations in Indonesia, and led to the Indonesian youth meeting on 28 October 1928 which declares the Indonesian aspiration to create a united, prosperous, justice and democratic country of Indonesia.
The one-hour ceremony was started on 10 am, and held on the Ambassador´s Residence. The ceremony followed by 48 Indonesian Embassy´s staffs and citizens in Bogota, and has deeply touched all participants especially when national anthem Indonesia Raya and national patriotic songs Satu Nusa Satu Bangsa and Bagimu Negeri were aired, which reminded that Indonesia is and will always be homeland. Notwithstanding with the cold that covers, the ceremony has emerge the flames of unity and family spirit amongst Indonesian that lived in Colombia.
After the ceremony, was held familiarization meeting between Ambassador Michael Menufandu and Embassy’s staffs with Indonesians that live in Bogota D.C., the meeting followed by dancing poco-poco and lunch.
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