VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the US Embassy in Jakarta will celebrate 70 years of Indonesia-United States diplomatic relations.

"I am optimistic that the relations between the two countries will continue to grow and develop in a constructive and mutually beneficial way," Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdurrahman M. Fachir said here on Wednesday.

Fachir conveyed this while launching the Commemorative Stamp for the 70th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and USA and the joint program of #lndonesiaUSA70th Youth Ambassadors.

The issuance of the Commemorative Stamp and the joint program #lndonesiaUSA 70th Youth Ambassadors was to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the United States with the theme, "Celebrate Our Diversity, Prosper Together as Strategic Partners".

The commemorative stamp features images of the leather-backed sea turtle laying eggs in the Eastern part of Indonesia and living in the West Coast waters of the US. The species reflects a partnership across the ocean, where both countries hope to continue to collaborate over the welfare of their people and the world.

The stamp will be printed in 1,000 pieces, while one will be placed in the Indonesian Stamp Museum.

The Indonesia-USA70th Youth Ambassadors is a collaboration program introduced by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US State Department, which will see the participation of 10 young Indonesians aged 18 to 25 years from various cultural backgrounds to explore the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the United States.

The participants will spend three weeks traveling around the United States, forging relationships, and engaging with young Americans. The program will provide participants an opportunity to promote pluralism and democracy, and prepare them to become future leaders who will strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and the US.

"Our partnership is built on a foundation of shared democratic values and common interests, including education, sharing expertise, and innovation to create a brighter future. The special 70th Youth Ambassador program is just one example of that," said US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan Jr.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the United States were officially established on December 28, 1949, and are now at the Strategic Partnership stage.

Such a partnership is an important milestone for Indonesia and the US to jointly share the responsibility of finding solutions to global challenges, while strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries.

To enliven the 70th Anniversary of the RI-US bilateral relations, a number of activities in Indonesia and the US have been planned, and each of them will be carried out by Indonesian Representatives in the US, and US representatives in Indonesia.

Activities in Indonesia and the US will be carried out in several cities and in cooperation with various universities and the local governments. All of these activities are aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries, to further embrace and educate the public, and strengthen the foundation of Indonesia-US cooperation for future generations. (ant)