| Interview with Dr. Norbert Baas, Germany’s new Ambassador to Indonesia |
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| Geschrieben von: Miriam Stahl |
| Donnerstag, 26. November 2009 um 07:38 |
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GERMANEWS: Ambassador Dr. Baas, we welcome you to Indonesia. Our readers surely are interested in who will be representing the Federal Republic of Germany in the upcoming years. Would you please tell us about your personal background and your diplomatic career so far? With pleasure. I am happy to be in Indonesia. Before I came here, I was German Ambassador to South Korea, where I spent threee years. Prior to this assignment I concentrated on Eastern Europe and I had the privilege of serving as a Special Envoy of the German Foreign Office on relations with Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Among other responsibilities I was coordinator of the group of friends of the UN Secretary General dealing with the settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. From 1995 to 1998 I was Ambassador to Georgia. Before that I served in various posts abroad and in the Foreign Office including Moscow and relations with Central Europe and on security policy issues. My first assignment was the OECD-Mission in Paris, then followed by Bagdad. All my posts were very interesting and an enriching personal experience.
GERMANEWS: What were your first thoughts when you were offered the opportunity to be placed in Indonesia? Was it an easy decision for you?
GERMANEWS: You were the Ambassador to South Korea immediately before relocating to Indonesia. What are some of the major similarities and differences of these two countries that you have noticed so far? Does the reality here match your expectations? There are both similarities and differences. The two countries became democracies in the wake of the events partly triggered off by the financial crisis of 1997/98 and they were suceessful in fostering similarly democratic value systems. Historically, there were trade links betwenn the old kingdom of Shilla and Java, but Korea and Indonesia drifted apart when Islam became dominant here and Korea was strongly influenced by Confucian ethics and values since the end of the 14th century. Today both are members of the G20 – an important forum for global future cooperation. GERMANEWS: Nowadays Indonesia is one of only a few countries in the world that has significant positive growth rates. What do you think could be done to stimulate more business activities between Germany and Indonesia? I think both Germany and Indonesia, who share feelings of mutual sympathy for each other, could still do more to explore opportunities for joint projects and investment. Tourism, energy, transport and machine tool industries are some examples. Given the enormous size of Indonesia as a country with the fourth largest population in the world, its share in foreign trade is still comparatively small. I am confident that we will witness an upward trend during the coming years and we will have to pay more attention to it. GERMANEWS: Besides being the Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, you are also representing Germany in Timor-Leste and ASEAN. What developments in ASEAN should German entrepreneurs pay attention to and what role is Indonesia going to play? We will all be well advised to follow the further developments in ASEAN closely. Germany has always been supportive. I believe we will see a further deepening of cooperation in ASEAN, which is the likliest option. I am planning to visit Timor-Leste soon. So far, I cannot share my personal impressions with you. GERMANEWS: You visited the German Centre for Industry and Trade on 11th November 2009 in BSD City. Is this the first time you have visited such a business facilitator and what are your impressions? They were excellent. I can only encourage the German Centre for Industry and Trade to continue to offer its premises, solid background in services and networking capabilities. Your experience will certainly be very helpful to strengthen economic and business relations between Germany and Indonesia. GERMANEWS: Finally, may we learn also a little about the private Norbert Baas? What do you like doing in your spare time and for recreation? I am a fairly good skier and I was practicing horse riding since my childhood. For Indonesia, probably golf is more suitable. I am also very interested in contemporary art, in history and in architecture. Above all, I would like to explore the country together with my wife and my two daughters. We are all very curious to see the many beautiful places. GERMANEWS: Thank you for very much.
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Yes, I accepted immediately. Indonesia and Germany have always been close partners. And Indonesia is entering a new and promising phase of its economicdevelopment. It is also consolidating its democratic achievements and will play a more significant role on matters of global resposibility. It is a country with intriguing opportunities and very able people. Germany will remain an active supporter of Indonesia’s way ahead.
