Indonesia
– Guatemala Bilateral Relation
Guatemala,
located in Central America, has a total land area of 108,890 km2
and a population of 13,730,900. Although comparatively small
in size and population, Guatemala is one of the oldest countries in
Central America. It gained its independence from Spain in 1821. The
country has a population composition of about 55% Mestizo, about 43%
Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian; and whites and others 2%.
About
60% of Guatemalans speak Spanish, while the other 40% speak an assortment
of over 20 Amerindians languages. It is believed that basic institutions
of Mayan civilization has been developed since about 2500 BC, and there
are at least 15 distinct Mayan groups in the country, mostly living
in the highlands. Guatemala has the largest Mayan population of any
country; in sheer numbers alone, they are the dominant ethnic group.
Diplomatic
relations between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Guatemala
was officially established on 29 April 1992 in New York through the
signing of the Joint Communique on the Opening of Diplomatic Relations
between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Guatemala. The
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United
Nations, Ambassador Nana Sutresna, and the Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Guatemala
to the United Nations, Ambassador Rafael Casttellanos Carrilo signed
the Joint Communique on behalf of their respective governments.
The
objectives of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Guatemala
were mainly to strengthen the presence of Indonesia in the Central American
Region; develop close cooperation on political issues, including the
East-Timor question; and ensure mutually beneficial relations between
the two countries. The initiative was also expected to enhance relationships
among developing countries on the basis of mutual support, particularly
within the framework of the United Nations and multilateral cooperation.
Following
the formal establishment of this relationship in 1992, the Indonesian
Government decided to assign the Permanent Mission of the Republic
of Indonesia in New York as the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
to the Republic of Guatemala.
The
first Indonesian Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Guatemala
was H.E. Mr. Nugroho Wisnumurti, who presented his Letters of Credence
to the then President of Guatemala, H.E. Dr. Ramiro de Leon Carpio,
on 10 September 1993 in Guatemala City. Similarly, the first Guatemalan
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Indonesia was Ambassador
Carlos Arturo Gonzales-Estrada, who was also the Permanent Representative
of Guatemala in New York. He presented his Letters of Credence to the
President of Indonesia in July 1993 in Jakarta.
Guatemala
considers Indonesia an important country with a huge population and
tremendous potential. The relations between the two countries have made
significant progress in recent years, as both countries have taken the
opportunity to explore and strengthen their relationship intensively
and extensively. Formal and informal activities in this regard have
included the performance of the Indonesian Culture Night in Guatemala
on 14 February 1997; Indonesian participation in the Guatemalas International
Trade Exhibition on November 1997; the assignment of Ambassador Carlos
Gonzales-Estrada as the Honorary Consul of Indonesia in 1998; and the
courtesy, given by the Guatemalan Government to the seven Indonesian
displaced sailors in Porto San Jose, Guatemala.
Furthermore,
the officials of the Indonesian Embassy in New York visit Guatemala
regularly and meet with relevant government officials and business community
in the effort to enhance bilateral relations, especially in the area
of trade. In October 2001, there were five Guatemalan businessmen
participated in the Indonesian Export Product Exhibition in Jakarta.
The visit was also an opportunity for them to meet some relevant government
officials, the Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry; and to
look at some manufacturers and industries in Indonesia.
Indonesian
products, such as black shoes, candy, truck tire, glassware, toner,
printer and computer screen, gas lighter, paper, and motorvehicles are
already in high demand. In this regard, further arrangements in promoting
trade relations still need to be explored among various parties of
the two countries.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Guatemala has from time
to time endeavoured to facilitate Indonesian products to enter Central
American market through Center for Indonesian Products and Information
Services for Central America and the Caribbean established in Guatemala
City in 2000. It is managed by a Guatemalan company, the Grupo Vision
Global S.A Guatemala. The Center has an important role to play in promoting
Indonesian exports to the Central American and Caribbean region.
New York, January 2003
