"The award is not only for me but for the Indonesian nation which has been given through a military ceremony, along with the Colombian Police`s anniversary," Indonesian Ambassador to Colombia Priyo Iswanto told Antara via a phone call here on Tuesday.
The two countries have been working together, and currently the Embassy of Indonesia in Bogota is stepping up cooperation in various fields, particularly tourism and agriculture.
Meanwhile, regarding increasing the role of law and strengthening democracy, the embassy maintains good relations with various official institutions and non-governmental organizations in Colombia.
"Colombia recognizes Indonesia as the third largest democracy in the world which is quite stable," Ambassador Priyo said.
He added that the people of Colombia greatly appreciated and commemorated the national figure who eventually became the military and political leader of Colombia in the 1840s, namely, Francisco de Paula Santandr`s. He was a law scholar who encouraged the strengthening of democracy in his government.
Meanwhile, a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Bogota stated that the role and contribution of the Indonesian Ambassador to Colombia in enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries has been recognized by the Colombian organization.
"Our organization sees him deserves the award," the Executive President of Colombian Society of Press and Mass Communication, Gustavo Casasbuenas, said.
Francisco de Paula Santander`s award was given for the 78th anniversary of the Colombian Police Department and the 27th anniversary of the Colombian Constitution.
A number of officials who were also awarded, including the Head of the Colombian Police Academy, Brig. Pol. Juliette Giomar Kure Parra; the Head of Private Security Industry Supervisory Agency, Fernando Martinez Bravo; and first Colombian female pilot / Former Consul General of Colombia in New York, Jenny Luna.
The Colombian Society of Press and Mass Communication is one of the organizations in Colombia which was founded by Former Colombian President Alfonso Lopez Michelsen (1974-1978) on August 4, 1998.
The organization periodically rewards outstanding public figures and public officials who bring about positive impacts in strengthening institutions, democracy, transparency and socio-economic development in Colombia.
Reporter: Libertina
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
