In our last issue we featured the first of our series of Ambassadorial interviews, aptly named: “Ambassadors’ Round Table” where our Founder Alistair Speirs interviews and discusses the challenges facing Jakarta, Indonesia and the world over a delicious lunch in Amuz Gourmet Restaurant. The first Ambassadors to be interviewed were from Austria, Germany and Holland but for the second we travel to the other ends of the earth to the dynamic and beautiful countries of Argentina, Brazil and Chile to meet three high personable and well-travelled gentlemen who represent their countries here. We start by introducing them then move on to their answers to three questions posed to them.
H.E. Gustavo Ricardo Coppa, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Indonesia, waseducated at the University of Buenos Aires, and is a diplomat specialist in Public International Law and in international planning. He is a professor at the National Foreign Service Institute (the Argentine diplomatic academy) for international planning subjects.
Prior to his position as Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Indonesia, Timor Leste and ASEAN, he took part in the Expert Group for International Transport of Nuclear Material of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna in 2004-2005, he served as Consul in Uruguay during different periods between 2012-2016 (Punta del Este, Maldonado, Salto), in Brazil from 2005-2010 (Porto Alegre) and 2016-2021 (Florianópolis).
His Excellency the Ambassador of Brazil, George Monteiro Prata, graduated with a degree in communication and journalism before embarking on a long and highly successful career in the diplomatic service. He has served in New York, Beijing, Madrid and Stockholm before becoming Ambassador in Prague, Oslo and finally Jakarta. He has many significant awards for his services including : Order of Merit, Italy, Official Order of the Infante Dom Henrique, Portugal, Official Order of Cross of Merit, Germany, 1st Class Order of Sacred Treasure, Japan, 2nd Class Order of National Merit, France, Official Order Bernado O’Higgins, Chile, Commander Order of Mayo, Argentina, Commander Légion d’Honneur, France, Commander Order of Rio Branco, Brazil, Grand Cross Royal Order of Norwegian Merit, Grand Cross. He speaks three languages and his hobbies are cooking and travelling.
H.E. Mario Ignacio Artaza is the Ambassador of Chile to Indonesia, and was the first Chilean to graduate from Georgetown Preparatory School in Rockville, Maryland, one of the oldest schools in the United States, founded in 1789. After residing for 15 years in the United States, he returned to Chile to study Journalism in the Catholic University of Santiago and undertook the Master’s program in International Relations at the Institute of International Studies of the University of Chile. He graduated in 1994 from the “Andrés Bello” Diplomatic Academy in Santiago, distinguished with the “Ambassador Carlos de Costa Nora” award.
Abroad he has served in Singapore (Embassy and the APEC Secretariat); the People´s Republic of China (Embassy and as Director/Trade Representative ProChile Office); Hong Kong, China (Consul General of Chile to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR), and in the United States (Consul General of Chile in New York).
What is the most important aspect of your relationship with Indonesia and what do you hope to improve or enhance in the future?
G.R.C. Argentina and Indonesia have maintained diplomatic relations for sixty-eight years, since 1956. Indonesia and Argentina have proven to be great partners, with strong cooperation and mutual support in international fora.
Bilateral relations have improved in recent years with President Macri’s presidential visit to Jakarta in 2019, President Fernández’s visit to Bali in 2022 and the signing of different agreements. For example, on agricultural cooperation; on the Establishment of a Trade and Investment Working Group; on cooperation in Education and Technology; on cooperation in the field of securing halal products and on the Establishment of Political Consultations.
Argentina is known worldwide for its football. Therefore, cooperation with Indonesia is also developing in the sports sector. We are working with different Argentinean football clubs to cooperate in the training of young Indonesian athletes.
On the other hand, Argentina is traditionally known as a food producer and the Indonesian market is very attractive. It is our intention to take advantage of the potential of trade between the two countries to improve the level of commercial exchange.
The Embassy is currently preparing the next high-level political dialogue, which is the most important bilateral forum for an exchange on political issues, and we are also preparing for more high-level political visits to Indonesia, seeking to increase dialogue and cooperation in new fields, especially in food security and renewable energy.
G.M.P. As a diplomat, I see myself as a bridge builder. I work to create links and to promote understanding between different cultures, different mindsets and sometimes different interests. I find this fascinating because this allows me to have a better grasp of diverse worldviews. It also reminds me that it is not impossible to find common ground and it is not that difficult to accept our differences. Although Brazil and Indonesia have many similarities and many common interests, I believe that one can always build better bridges. So, the longer I live in Indonesia and the more actively I interact with Indonesian society, the stronger my skills as a bridge engineer will become. I will be very proud if I am able to make a meaningful contribution to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.
M.I.A I have taken up my duties to lead the team at the Embassy of Chile just five months ago, with a number of milestones to be remembered and acknowledged. Chile is the only country in Latin America which has a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia, CEPA, which entered into force 5 years ago. Chile and Indonesia can increase trade and investment flows. Chile’s Vice Minister for Trade will visit Jakarta, as we wish to increase our interaction and cooperation with Indonesia in new, innovative areas, such as electromobility, with Chilean lithium in the equation. Support the necessary energy transition already in movement in Indonesia, with Chilean Green Hydrogen and our positive experience in solar and wind powered energy to be shared. The incorporation of more women in trade, finance, in the overall work force, is also a key element of any modern economy which we are keen on strengthening, with activities already identified and to be jointly addressed by Chile and Indonesia.
This year we shall also have members of the Chilean and Indonesian navies participate in the world’s largest international maritime exercises and as an Embassy, we are already working with Museum Bahari in Jakarta, in order to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the visit to Indonesia by the first Latin American training ship, the “General Baquedano”, back in 1900, with an exhibition of photographs and maps. In the field of education, we are visiting and identifying work plans with universities in Indonesia, in order to put into action exchange programs which will benefit students, researchers and academia, science and technology. We have also increased our support to the students and faculty at the Cempaka Putih “República de Chile”, located in Jakarta. To give back to the community, to learn and to interact with as many people as possible is a mainstay of our work in Indonesia.
What do you like most about Jakarta? Which area do you like best? What events do you like to attend and what, if any, suggestions do you have to improve the city?
G.R.C. Jakarta is a wonderful city, the people are naturally very friendly and I feel at home. I was surprised by the wide variety of activities that the city offers. There is always something interesting to do and something new to discover. The permanent offer of music concerts, art exhibitions, fashion shows and cultural activities of all kinds is striking.
I really like to go to the Jakarta Philatelic Building to learn a little more about Indonesia history and culture through its stamps, and get some for my collection. I also like to jog a bit around the stadium, especially on the weekends.
I enjoy street food (I especially love the gado gado sold near the Embassy, which is really wonderful) and I also like to go to different international restaurants. Jakarta’s gastronomic offer is truly remarkable.
I must confess that traffic in Jakarta is not a problem for me. In fact, traffic in Jakarta closely resembles other important cities around the world, including Buenos Aires. In large cities, public transportation and bicycle lanes are very important, and in Jakarta both are very well developed.
G.M.P. I have no preferred area in Jakarta. I love how vibrant the city is and how full of contrasts it is. I enjoy old Jakarta as much as new Jakarta and I admire the never-sleeping spirit of this energetic megalopolis. It is difficult to get to know well such a huge city, but I am working to become a true Jakartan. If only it was more walkable…
M.I.A. Jakarta is a capital city where you must efficiently use all of your senses, sometimes all at once.. One can simply not think that good things just come to you in Jakarta. You have to go out and get them. That vibe motivates anyone who is in diplomacy for what its spirit truly is. The youth in Jakarta and their inquisitive nature when it comes to knowing more about Chile, is remarkable. I am particularly fond of networking in Jakarta, visiting and exchanging views, experiences, with other diplomats, government officials, entrepreneurs, academia, religious leaders, students. Everyone I have met so far, has a useful hint or valuable insight which allows me to accomplish tasks and goals in a more efficient manner.
On suggestions to improve the city? Consider evaluating congestion pricing as it is already in operation in many other major capitals and cities. Public transportation does work and adds tremendous overall value to the quality of life and welfare of communities.
What is your favourite destination in Indonesia?
G.R.C. This is a very difficult question to answer. It’s only been five months since I arrived in Indonesia, and my work commitments have only allowed me to leave the city on very few occasions. I had the opportunity to visit the Bali and Gilli and I liked both places very much. In fact, I don’t think I ever took as many beautiful photos as on these trips.
In Bali, I not only met wonderful people and enjoy the fantastic beaches, but also had the opportunity to tour the interior of the island, saw some unusual places and delved deeper into the island culture. I visited Ubud and I really like its art galleries and the traditional crafts. I enjoyed a wonderful walk in the Tegallalang rice terraces and, of course, I visited the Ubud Monkey Forest and attended the traditional dance performances. I also had the opportunity to go to Tanah Lot Temple and to Uluwatu Temple, I knew a part of their history and enjoyed their breathtaking sunset views. These wonderful and unique places offered me a diverse range of experiences, from cultural immersion to adventure and relaxation.
In Gilli I enjoyed the warmth of the people, the nature and the diversity of the islands and I had the unique opportunity to swim with sea turtles: an experience that I highly recommend to my friends and colleagues. Indonesia is known worldwide for the exuberance of its nature and the beauty of its tourist attractions. I hope to have the opportunity to continue touring this wonderful and surprising country in the coming months.
G.M.P Indonesia is incredibly beautiful and has a vast number of attractions. It is also blessed with a rich culture and a compelling history which particularly interest me. I have just recently arrived here, but I know that even if I stay in Indonesia for the rest of my life, I will not get to visit the whole country. Only after many more travels I will be able to talk about a favorite destination.
M.I.A. On my favorite destinations in Indonesia, I must mention that I am a history buff. Most specially, a maritime one. With Chile and Indonesia both maritime nations with a rich history, Flores is an island that evokes a bygone era of exploration and of voyages. In 2020, Chile commemorated the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the maritime passage known as the Strait of Magellan, one which in fact, connected the old world with an entirely new world. New goods, flavors, peoples came into contact and interacted. It is in Flores where you find Kelimutu National Park, with its volcano and crater lakes. Chile and Indonesia are connected by the Pacific Ring of Fire, with several active volcanoes in Chile. I intend to keep traveling and discovering new places in Indonesia where I may be able to find links, past or present, with Chile and Latin America. Curiosity is a must for all diplomats, moreover in such a diverse and attractive destination as in fact Indonesia is.
