ISLAMABAD, NOV 18 (DNA) – Ambassador of Indonesia Iwan S Amri has said relations with Pakistan were growing at a fast speed adding both countries had a strong wish and will to give new dimensions to these relations.

Ambassador Amri made these remakes while speaking on the occasion of Independence Day function. Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Engr. Baligur Rehman was the chief guest.

Ambassador further said, the day is celebrated every year by the Indonesians as it commemorates the day, when after many years of subjugation, Indonesia gained its Independence.

“Indeed, in the chronicles of history, August 17, 1945 will always be remembered as a day of an extraordinary accomplishment which Indonesia won with unparalleled fortitude and sacrifices,” said a statement released by the embassy here.

The venue was beautifully decorated with flowers, artifacts and umbrellas arrangements creating the unique Indonesian ambience.

The Minister and the Ambassador noted with satisfaction that Indonesia and Pakistan were committed to bolster cooperation in various venues to further expand existing excellent bilateral relations.

They underlined the importance of close ties and enhancing people-to-people networks and all-around cooperation to further strengthen the fraternal bond between the two nations.

The official program started off with the singing of the national anthems of both the countries in chorus by a group of Indonesian students before the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia and the Chief Guest joined by the ASEAN Heads of Missions performed the cake cutting to mark the day.

Iwan S Amir in his remarks on the occasion said that Indonesia was the most populous country with a Muslim majority and had transformed into a vibrant third largest democracy in the world.

He said that Indonesia with 1,340 ethnic groups, 1,211 local languages and 17,504 islands is spread out over 3000 km area. The envoy said that with such great size and diversity the real strength and unity of over 250 million people lies in the national slogan of “Unity in Diversity” that provides foundation and ideology for peace, harmony and equality in the country.

He said that Indonesia has witnessed remarkable social, political and economic change in recent years. It made important progress towards its Millennium Development Goals, graduated to a Middle Income Country status and was welcomed to the fold of the G20, he added.

The envoy elaborated that Indonesia as an emerging economy market was the largest economy in Southeast Asia with a Gross domestic product of almost one trillion dollars with above 5 per cent annual growth rate.

The ambassador said that Indonesia within two years has climbed from 114 to 72 in the Ease of Doing Business Index.

Ambassador Amri paid rich tributes to President Soekarno and Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for laying the strong foundation of the diplomatic ties between the two nations following Pakistan independence in 1947.

The enthralling performances of Legon Kraton Dance and Wiranata dance introduced the guests some very beautiful and exotic culture, elegant and highly stylized dances with rich music and the exquisite epic costumes form the Indonesian island of Bali.

The reception not only celebrated the Indonesian anniversary of the independence but its diversity, food and culture.=DNA
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