I would like to first ask for inputs from the Foreign Affairs Minister since the statement has a far-reaching impact.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo has said that he will consult Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi before responding to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s statement recognizing August 17, 1945, as Indonesia’s Independence Day.

According to the President, Rutte’s statement has the potential to have a broad impact.

"Yes, this (the statement) is good, but we will respond to it later. I would like to first ask for inputs from the Foreign Affairs Minister since the statement has a far-reaching impact," Widodo told journalists after inspecting Menteng Pulo Market in South Jakarta on Thursday.

On Wednesday (June 14), the Prime Minister of the Netherlands issued a statement in the Dutch Parliament recognizing August 17, 1945, as Indonesia's Independence Day during a debate concerning the results of a study on decolonization.

As per Tweede Kamer, the parliament's official website, PM Rutte confirmed that the Netherlands unconditionally recognizes August 17 as the date of Indonesia's independence proclamation.

The statement was made in response to Dutch legislator Corinne Ellemeet, who asked Rutte to state the importance of the date as well as his willingness to consult with the Indonesian President.

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"The answer is yes. I will provide you with a brief background on that matter. The Netherlands fully and unconditionally recognizes August 17," Rutte said.

He further said that in the past few years, the Netherlands has always been involved in all events marking Indonesia's Independence Day every August 17.

The head of the government then stated that in 2022, he visited the residence of the Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands to deliver a speech.

Furthermore, he also reiterated that the King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, regularly sends his best wishes to Indonesia every year on August 17.

Rutte's statement clearly marks a novelty in his country's relations with Indonesia, since it was previously known that the Netherlands recognized December 27, 1949, as the date when Indonesia gained sovereignty, according to the results of the Round Table Conference in Den Haag.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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