Spread over more than 17,000 islands and with a population of 250 million, Indonesia is not only the third-largest democracy in the world. It is also Southeast Asia’s largest economy, a member of the G20 and home to the ASEAN secretariat. Moreover, the multi-ethnic country boasts the world’s largest Muslim population as well as over 30 different ethnic groups.

Foreign Ministers Westerwelle and Natalegawa (© Photothek/Hünerfauth) IKLAN  :GROSIR LAMPU OSRAM

  Guido Westerwelle met his Indonesian counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, in Jakarta for extensive talks. At a joint press conference, the two Foreign Ministers announced their intention to strengthen German-Indonesian relations by means of a new strategic dialogue. “As the world’s third-largest democracy, Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a driving force within ASEAN,” Westerwelle said, “Indonesia is a pivotal partner for Germany.”

His fellow Foreign Minister, Marty Natalegawa, highlighted the common ground their two countries shared. Indonesia and Germany were both strong players within their regions, he said, as evidenced by the latter’s far-reaching commitment to the EU and the former’s active role in ASEAN. He pointed out that expanding cooperation would be to the benefit of both sides. German-Indonesian relations therefore shared the spotlight with such regional issues as the debt crisis in Europe and the current situation in the South China Sea.

courtesy : http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/__pr/P__Wash/2013/02/11-Westerwelle-Indonesia.html