I. Diplomatic relations
Greece and Indonesia are represented at Embassy level in Jakarta and Athens respectively.
II. Treaty Framework
Four agreements are currently in preparation (Economic and Technological Cooperation, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Fishing and Marine Transport, Promotion and Protection of Investments).
An Agreement on Tourist Cooperation and an Agreement on Air Transport are now in their final stages of elaboration on both sides, and bilateral meetings for their signature are slated to be held in Athens early in 2006.
The bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in the areas of Culture, Education and Science, covers a broad range of issues and is at present awaiting ratification by the Greek parliament.
III. Political relations
General political cooperation is evolving gradually, especially multilateral cooperation through international forums, while efforts are being made to improve bilateral cooperation in the political and economic sectors.
A sovereign and democratic Indonesia which respects human rights, within its existing borders, is the parameter determining Greeces relations and those of the EU in general with this country.
The former President of Indonesia, Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri, paid an unofficial visit to Greece in July 2003.
IV. Economic and trade relations
Trade flows between Indonesia and Greece in 2004 were as follows: Greek exports $US 23,605,507, Greek imports $US 126,086,743.
The majority of Greek imports are comprised of furniture, tropical timbers and processed leathers. The main Indonesian import is olives. Direct Greek investment is in excess of 35m Euro, and there is also substantial indirect investment. Greece provides development aid mainly through its participation in EU and UN programmes. A fluctuating but significant number of Indonesians work on ships owned by Greek companies, while at any one time it is estimated that there will be some 5,000 Greek tourists visiting Bali annually.
V. Cultural relations
Over the last five years two Greek theatrical productions have been staged in Indonesia, as well as exhibitions of photographs and historical material in Jakarta and Jogyakarta. In 2000 an annual cultural festival entitled Jack-art was introduced in Jakarta under private initiative and with the support of the Greek Embassy (the festival takes place each June).
VI. Greek community
There are just 72 Greeks living permanently in Indonesia, the majority resident in Jakarta or Bali. Most of them are liberal professionals (businessmen or restaurant owners), and some are senior executives in large companies. There is, however, also a much larger number of Australian Greeks, working in business or for multinational companies.
VII. Embassy details