Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The Czech Republic has officially opened an honorary consular office at ground floor of Royal Ambarukmo Hotel in Yogyakarta.

The occasion was attended by Czech Ambassador to Indonesia Tomas Smetanka and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) X Thursday night.

Eddy Tjia had been appointed honorary Czech Consul. A similar consular office had also been opened in Semarang with Daniel Budi as honorary consul.

"The relations between Indonesia and Czech Republic, formerly Czechoslovakia, have been established in 1930. And I am very happy and honored to officially open the consular offices tonight," Ambassador Tomas Smetanka said.

He said Yogyakarta is not only a kind and warm city, but also special, because Sri Sultan HB X once also visited Prague, capital of the Czech Republic.

With the two new consular offices, he said it will become increasingly easier to promote business and culture with the Czech Republic.

In the meantime, Sri Sultan HB X said the cooperation with the Czech republic also has its historical side because Yogyakarta and Prague are both historical cities.

"The Czech republic has helped Yogyakarta in its visibility studies for the airport and transportation, at a cost of 2.5 million US dollars," he said.

In the meantime, for the appointed representatives of the Consulate General, Sultan HB X said that both have been entrusted by the governments, and therefore they need to perform their duties as best as possible.

The opening of the consulate general was also marked with business talks between the two countries. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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