It is my great pleasure to have the opportunity to say a few words tonight where we kick off the celebrations of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Denmark. Tonight also confirms our common interest in further strengthening our partnership and collaboration to the mutual benefit of both our countries.

I have been looking forward to my trip to Indonesia for many reasons, and one of them is the chance to experience the rich and diverse Indonesian culture, not least here at Borobudur and in Yogyakarta. I understand that that Borobudur was mostly covered by ashes, until 1814.  Perhaps this can explain, in part at least, why the beauty of Borobudur has been such a well-kept secret for hundreds of years.

Today, thousands of Danes visit Indonesia every year. In fact, I have been told, that Danes are among the most frequent visitors to Indonesia among fellow Europeans, if you measure per capita. And with good reason. The Borobudur Temple is amongst the most desired of all destinations in Indonesia. And it is certainly easy to understand why - being here, you immediately sense the historic and cultural heritage surrounding the old kingdoms and sultanates.

Tonight, I feel the warm hospitality for which Indonesia and its’ people are so well-known. As you all must do.  I’m sure that this ‘particular Indonesian hospitality’ is in part why Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark has such fond memories of her time here.

During the first Danish State Visit to Indonesia four years ago, Her Majesty, and her late husband Prince Henrik, spent some wonderful days here at Borobudur in Central Java, as well as and in Yogyakarta.

I know that Australians are one of the top 5 largest tourist groups to Indonesia and with my own background in this part of the World, being born in Australia, it would probably be expected that I would have travelled here at some time.  I have always wanted to, but this is my first time ‘really’ seeing parts of this breath-taking country – now however, as a Dane. And at the same time, together with the entire delegation, it is a great pleasure and honour to continue to build upon the strong relations between our two nations.

Yes, our countries are separated by oceans and continents, but in the globalised world that we live in, distance is no longer an obstacle to strong cooperation and strong friendship. I’m sure that the coming year will see the meeting of mutual interests in terms of commercial, cultural and political cooperation grow and flourish.

And tonight, we can enjoy that friendship with just a small taste of Indonesian-Danish co-creativity. First, an ‘artistic taste’ of ballet displaying the growing dance and music relations between our two countries. And second, a ‘gastronomic menu’ of Danish-Indonesian fusion.

I believe that these two examples illustrate another thing that unites all of us present here. And that is; a common desire to further strengthen the relations between Indonesia and Denmark.

I would like to propose a toast to our friendship and the 70th anniversary celebrations that mark that friendship and the future promise it holds.

Thank you, and Selamat Menikmati!