SPEECH/06/787
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
European Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy
Indonesia and the European Union:
building on common ground
“Pluralism and
Indonesia Day
Democracy:
Brussels, 7 December 2006
Indonesian
Perspectives”
EU-
Dr. Din,
Excellencies,
Panellists,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First let me welcome you to Brussels, and to the European Commission. I am
delighted to see quite a lot here today. I hope the long journey some of you will
have had to get here won’t take its toll later today! But I am confident that the
discussions will be more than lively enough to overcome any residual jetlag
Because the subject of today’s conference, “Pluralism and Democracy”, I would say
is one of the most pertinent topics in world affairs today. It goes to the heart of the
debate about what it means to be a state in the 21st century. And to the heart of the
debate about identity, and the individual’s relation with the state.
These issues are not confined to particular parts of the world. They are issues we
are all grappling with, as we face the challenges of globalisation, demographic and
economic changes; as we have to reconcile old and new values; and as we have to
find jobs and opportunities for the young.
Indonesia and the European Union have a great deal in common both in the
challenges we face and in the way we are dealing with them. Which is why we
wanted to bring you all together at this conference today.
We firmly believe that by understanding each other better we will work together
more closely. And by working together more closely we will find more successful
answers to the issues we have to address.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The biggest challenges to democracy in our time come from economic and social
stagnation or fragile institutions. Around the world people are defining their identity
less by nationality and more by ethnicity or by their religious beliefs. The diminished
loyalty to the state raises issues for us all.
Indonesia has seen for itself what it means for a large and diverse nation to
transition from autocratic rule to a vigorous multiparty system. President Yudhoyono
and his government have been taking bold steps to combat corruption, promote
good governance and decentralisation, and implement economic and structural
reforms.
But no one would claim that the task is accomplished. Building and then sustaining
democracy requires constant vigilance to ensure fundamental values are protected.
Indonesia is still working to reconcile conflicting pressures within society. Yet human
rights, including women’s rights, and democratic values must be respected
whatever the cultural or religious context.
We know it is not easy. The EU would like to learn more about the debate within
Indonesia and how we could help you as you work to build and safeguard your
democracy.
We also want to hear more about Indonesia’s approach to religious and secular
values in such a large and vibrant multicultural and multi-ethnic country. These are
issues which increasingly affect the EU. The basic question we all face is how to
accommodate difference whilst ensuring fundamental values are respected.
Tolerance and respect are the watchwords. And how do we build tolerance and
respect? Through dialogue. That holds true both within and between states.
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Within Europe the European Commission is fully committed to fostering dialogue
with Europe’s major religions and communities of conviction. We know we face
challenges integrating minority populations into Europe and that it is not easy to
build cohesive societies comfortable with difference in their midst.
I think it is emphatically not a question of European versus religious values.
Freedom of religion is indeed non-negotiable. It is a fundamental right of individuals
and communities and entrails respect for the integrity of all religious convictions and
all ways in which they are exercised – if they are exercised in a peaceful way of
course. Similarly, freedom of speech is non-negotiable, although it does come with
responsibilities.
Nor is it a question of assimilation or of any community giving up core beliefs and
value which are closes to their heart. It is about Europeans exercising their religious
and social identity, without any contradiction.
Similarly dialogue is important internationally. We do not believe in a clash of
civilisations, at worst there is a clash of ignorance. And the answer is more dialogue
to build trust, resulting in closer and more effective partnership. We must all work to
combat ignorance and fight fundamentalism and extremism on all sides.
Today’s conference will, I hope, contribute to that better understanding and so
enhance tolerance and respect.
But there’s another element to today’s conference which I’d like to highlight - that is
the contribution democratic and pluralist societies can make to conflict resolution.
It has long been recognised that democracies are less likely to engage in
international conflicts than non-democratic regimes. Similarly, at the national level,
democracies provide a political channel for tensions and disputes which might
otherwise end up in violent conflict.
It is surely no coincidence that the dramatic breakthrough in the Aceh conflict has
come as Indonesia’s democracy has grown stronger. Aceh proves that a serious
and genuine commitment to addressing conflict by all parties can achieve indeed
peace even after decades of distrust and violence.
I am delighted that on 11 December the people of Aceh will elect their local leaders
– it is a triumph for democracy and peace. The Indonesian government and people
should be proud of their achievement. We are proud to have been helping you in
this process and in supporting Martti Ahtissari.
We know that peace is sustained more effectively by better public services and
reliable institutions than by robust responses from the military. So even after the
Aceh Monitoring Mission departs later this month, the European Commission will
continue its support for the peace process with assistance for governance, election
support, reintegration, and police and justice reform. Our commitment to Aceh is as
strong as ever.
We would also like to learn more about the forces of change at work in Aceh, not
least to see if there are lessons to be learned from this experience which could help
other countries.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world and has a leadership
committed to dialogue and to reform. So it is ideally placed to promote the virtues of
pluralism and democracy to the international community.
For our part the European Union is committed to foster its dialogue with Indonesia
and to maintain its support for the Indonesian government’s reform efforts. The new
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between us, which should be finalized
soon, should help cement our ties; as will the increase in our development
cooperation for 2007-2013.
There is a great deal we can offer one another and today’s debate will make a
useful contribution. You have a fascinating day of debate ahead of you, so let me
close now and hand over the floor to Dr Din.
Thank you.
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