France–Indonesia relations
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France–Indonesia relations are foreign bilateral relations between France and Indonesia. The indirect relation between France and Indonesia was commenced during early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies.
France has an embassy in Jakarta while Indonesia has an embassy in Paris. The relations between two nations are important as both are democratic republics and both holds significant geopolitical influences in each regions, France is a key member of European Union, as well as Indonesia for ASEAN. The diplomatic relation between France and Indonesia is also a key element for developing relations between Indonesia and the European Union and between France and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.[1] Both nations are the member of G-20 major economies.
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 56% of Indonesians view France's influence positively, with only 14% expressing a negative view, one of the most favourable perceptions of France in Asia Pacific after South Korea's and Australia's view.[2]
History
The indirect relation between France and Indonesia was commenced during early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. During Napoleonic Wars the Netherlands was fell under French Empire, thus also its possessions in East Indies. During the reign of Governor General Herman Willem Daendels (1808–1811), France exercised its political influences in East Indies through Dutch Republic. Daendels was Dutch Francophile, and during his reign in Java he built the Het White Huis (The White House) or Het Groote Huis (The Big House), today the Indonesian Ministry of Finance building, that demonstrate Chateau de Versailles style. He also renamed the Buffelsveld (buffalo field) to Champs de Mars (today Merdeka square). The battle for Java was fought between British and French-Dutch Republics during Anglo-Dutch Java War in 1811.
The French Revolution and its Republic government also inspired the later Indonesian nationalist movement in early 20th century. The political concept of Republic of Indonesia was partly influenced by Republic of France model. Indonesia also adopted the Napoleonic Continental legal system through Dutch intermediary. After the independence of Indonesia, the diplomatic relations was established in 1950s.
Culture
The culture-linguistic relations between Indonesian and French were conducted through Dutch, as evident in Indonesian loanwords from French that mainly political or military terms, such as kudeta (from coup d'état), legiun (from légion) and letnan (from lieutenant).
The objective of French cultural cooperation action is to support Indonesia’s development as a new emerging country. Accordingly, it gives priority to research (rural development, aquaculture, volcanology, geophysics, and archaeology), university exchanges (primarily in the fields of technology and biological sciences), vocational training, support for strengthening the rule of law and democratic governance (legislative technical assistance, fight against terrorism and corruption, decentralization, human rights training) and the implementation of quality cultural actions (“French Springtime” (Le Printemps Français) cultural festival, audiovisual policy).
France also has established Institut Français in Indonesian cities of Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, a French cultural center with the mission to promote French culture in Indonesia through cultural performances and exhibitions, film and mediatheque, also French course for Indonesian students[3]
Archaeology
Based on the expertise of the Advisory Board on Archaeological Research Abroad, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (DGCID) is subsidizing nearly 160 archaeological missions (from palaeontology to the medieval period) in 65 countries, including:
- Borneo: Diachronic study of uses and Rock Art in the caves and rock shelters of East Kalimantan
- Java 01: A prehistoric site from the upper Pleistocene period
- Java 02: The first populations on the Indonesian archipelago
- Tapanuli
In art and musics, France and Indonesia has mutual cultural ambassador, Anggun an Indonesian French-naturalised singer-songwriter, is popular in both France and Indonesia.
Notes
- ↑ "France and Indonesia". France Diplomatie. 01.08.12. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
- ↑ 2013 World Service Poll BBC
- ↑ "Institut Français Indonesia". Institut Français Indonesia. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
External links
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