Indonesia–Sweden relations

Indonesia and Sweden established diplomatic relations in 1952.[1] In recent years both nations demonstrate growing keenness to improve bilateral relations, as each head of government exchanged visits.[2] Indonesia has an embassy in Stockholm that also accredited to Latvia, while Sweden has an embassy in Jakarta that also accredited to East Timor.

Swedish and Indonesian Flags
Indonesian–Swedish relations
Map indicating locations of Indonesia and Sweden

Indonesia
Sweden
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Indonesia, StockholmEmbassy of Sweden, Jakarta

History

After the Indonesian Revolution, Sweden recognized the new state of Indonesia in 1949. The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Sweden was established in 1950, followed by the establishment of embassies in each counterparts capitals'. The first Indonesian President Sukarno visited Sweden on May 3–5, 1959.[3] The Swedish embassy in Jakarta is also accredited to Timor Leste that opened diplomatic relations with Sweden since 2002.

For most of the 1980s and 1990s the bilateral relations was rather strained, because there was numbers of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders resided in Sweden, and made Stockholm as their foreign base to gain international support and recognition.[4] During the aftermath of Aceh Tsunami, Sweden is among international helps that promptly provided aid to devastated areas in Indonesia. In the next year, Indonesian Government and GAM leaders has reconciled their differences through peace negotiations in 2005, the conflict in Aceh has ended. Sweden also has actively contributed in Aceh peace process and gave assistance to the tsunami reconstruction.

High level visits
President Yudhoyono of Indonesia with Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm, 28 May 2013.

In 2008, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt visited Jakarta. In early 2012, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visited Indonesia, it was the first ever by a Swedish monarch. In November 2012, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt followed suit, also the first ever visit by a Swedish head of government. The courtesy call reciprocated with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visits to Sweden on 27–29 May 2013.[5]

Agreements

The two countries have signed Memorandum of Understanding to strengthened bilateral cooperation on sustainable urban development, science, innovation and research, healthcare and environment.[5] Indonesia is also keen to learn more from Swedish experience in maintaining its environment, such as developing renewable energy sources.[6]

Trade and investment

Sweden is one of Indonesia's most important trade partner in Europe, and its bilateral trade with Indonesia is the highest among Scandinavian countries. The trade volume between Indonesia-Sweden has reached US$1.05 billion in 2011 and grow to US$1.46 billion in 2012.[6] In 2011 Swedish investment in Indonesia was stood around US$916,000 in 9 projects, in 2012 the figures rose to US$5.2 million in 11 projects.[2][6] In 2021, Ambassador of Indonesia to Sweden introduced the Indonesian Investment Authority (INA), the first sovereign investment fund in Indonesia, responsible for supporting significant infrastructure projects in Indonesia. INA could be an opportunity to develop stronger economic cooperation with the support of many Swedish companies operating in the infrastructure and telecommunications sectors of Indonesia.[7] The two countries also have been in favor of the ASEAN-EU relationship, which has escalated into a Strategic Partnership in December 2020.[8] Sweden further provides support for the progress of the Indonesia-EU CEPA negotiations.[7]

See also

Notes
  1. "Sweden-Indonesia: Shared Experiences, Shared Outlook". Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Stockholm, Kingdom of Sweden. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. Santo Darmosumarto (May 31, 2013). "Beyond ABBA and IKEA: Indonesia-Sweden relations". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  3. "Yudhoyono to Start Official Visit Program in Sweden". Tempo. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  4. "Aceh's Gam separatists". BBC News. 24 January 2005. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  5. "President Yudhoyono to meet with Prime Minister Reinfeldt and the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf". Embassy of Sweden, Jakarta. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  6. Heru (May 29, 2013). "Number of Swedish companies in Indonesia up 50 pct". Antara News. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  7. "Indonesia Dan Swedia Sepakat Perluas Kerja Sama Bilateral | Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia". kemlu.go.id. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  8. "What Does the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership Mean?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
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