RI, Netherlands Strengthen Relations Through "Pasar Malam"

Delft, the Netherlands, March 21 (Antara) - The Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands are mutually strengthening relations, one of which is through Pasar Malam Indonesia (Indonesian Night Market) in The Hague on March 20-24, 2013. "The relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands is currently at a new phase of more trust, more understanding and more commitment to growing the relationship into a higher level," the Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands Retno Marsudi said at the opening of Pasar Malam Indonesia in the Hague, Netherlands Wednesday (20/3). She said these years were busy years for Indonesia and the Netherlands to strengthen and develop partnerships in all fields. "This is a new spirit in our relationship," the Ambassador Retno said, adding that Indonesia and the Netherlands have a strong bond together between Indonesia and the Netherlands which have been intertwined since hundreds of years ago and still maintained well until now. The Indonesian Night Market 2013 is the fourth time, which is the scene of an integrated and comprehensive promotional campaign of Indonesia in the areas of trade, tourism, investment as well as the promotion of arts and culture and culinary wealth of Indonesia to the Netherlands and the European public at large. The Indonesian Night Market is Indonesia`s biggest promotional event in Europe. "Indonesian Night Market has been at the heart of The Hague and the heart of the Netherlands," Ambassador Retno said. Meanwhile, the Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans in his speech expressed his admiration for the wonderful organization of Indonesian Night Market. He also expressed his visit to Jakarta last month as a wonderful experience. "Once you touch with Indonesia then you cannot it go," Minister Timmermans said, adding that the relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands for hundreds of years is never broke even always maintained well. "We want you to be a part of our country so that we can share each other," Minister Timmermans said. The PMI 2013 is supported by relevant institutions in Indonesia, such as government institutions both central and local administration, state owned companies, and private sectors. Amongst the institutions participating at this Pasar Malam Indonesia are Garuda Indonesia Airlines, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Communication and Information, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the administrations of Central Java province, Maluku province, Semarang city, Bogor city, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, IWAPI (Association of Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs), GAPKI (Association of Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs), PT Angkasa Pura II, PT. Pelindo I � IV (Indonesian Port Corporation), and PT Indofood.