<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Cooperation in technology and defense and the constant increase in trade relations were the two aspects that Ambassador Muhammad Najib highlighted during the reception he offered to commemorate the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia and the anniversary of its Armed Forces.</strong></h4> After recalling that “our connection dates back to the beginning of the 16th century, when Spanish explorers arrived in the Indonesian archipelago” and that the current diplomatic relations were established in 1958, Muhammad Najib thanked the Spanish Armed Forces for their assistance during the 2004 tsunami. “A spirit of solidarity and compassion,” he said, ”that reflects the true nature of our relationship.” “In recent decades,” he continued, ”we have witnessed the growth of our cooperation in various areas, particularly in technology and defense.” Specifically, since 1980, the aeronautical companies CASA (now Airbus) and the Indonesian state-owned Dirgantara, began developing joint projects that led to the construction of the CN235 transport aircraft, a success that the ambassador defined as “a symbol of the shared spirit of innovation and progress.” Regarding the political relationship, he highlighted the visit to Jakarta last April of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Diego Martinez, which “marks an important milestone in our relationship, strengthening the conduct of bilateral political consultation” with annual meetings planned at the level of directors general. The economic relationship “has also become a vibrant partnership, from which both nations have benefited,” he assured. Najib referred to 2023 data, according to which “bilateral trade between Indonesia and Spain reached nearly $2.8 billion, marking an 8.9% increase over 2022.” Those same statistics show that “Indonesian exports of palm oil, rubber, textiles and footwear are very well positioned in the Spanish market, while Spanish investments in Indonesia in the infrastructure, energy and manufacturing sectors are increasing every year.” Muhammad Najib considered that “these investments are more than figures, they are the seeds of prosperity that we have planted together, fostering growth and opportunities for our peoples”, whose friendship “is rooted in mutual respect and shared values”. For his part, the general director for North America, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Carlos Moreno, said he was committed to continuing with the “model of cooperation in technology transfer” established by Airbus and Dirgantara and “to do more to deepen the economic relationship”. In this sense, he recalled that Spain, as “one of the main countries of the European Union”, “will continue to support the negotiation between the European Union and Indonesia to reach the economic partnership agreement”. Moreno, after describing as “impeccable” the elections held in Indonesia this year, underlined the Spanish Government's wish that President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who will take office on October 20, “accepts the invitation to visit Spain in his new position as soon as possible”. The Spanish diplomat highlighted the alignment of both countries in the defense of democratic values “in any geographical area, be it Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region or the Middle East” and recalled that “we collaborate with Indonesia within the contact group of Arab countries of the Islamic Conference for the two-state solution, which we believe is the only sustainable long-term solution to achieve peace in the region”. Finally, he bet on strengthening bilateral cultural ties, with the “growing presence” of Spanish in Indonesia, and tourism, sharing experiences to “develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism in Indonesia”. [caption id="attachment_96493" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-96493 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Corea-y-esposa-ok.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="422" /> South Korea’s ambassador, Lim Soosuk, with his wife.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96495" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-96495 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Embajadores-arabes-ok.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="422" /> From left. to right: Abderraouf Laajimi, deputy director of the International Olive Council, together with the ambassadors of Tunisia, Libya, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, the Arab League and Yemen.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96497" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-96497 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Japon-y-Jimmy-Lim-ok.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="422" /> Japan’s ambassador, Takahiro Nakamae (left), along with the Hidden Jewel wine entrepreneur, Jimmy Lim.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96499" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-96499 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Tunez-y-Arabia-ok.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="429" /> Tunisia’s ambassador, Fatma Omrani (left), and her Saudi counterpart, Haifa al-Mogrin.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96501" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-96501 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bailes-ok.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="429" /> The reception was livened up by typical dances of Indonesia.[/caption]