London (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Ambassador to Great Britain and Northern Ireland T.M. Hamzah Thayeb has handed his credentials to Irish President Michael D. Higgins at the Presidential Palace in Dublin.

Ambassador Hamzah Thayeb in the ceremony was flanked by Madame Lastry Thayeb and Minister Counselor for Political Affairs of the Indonesian embassy in London, Indonesian Embassy First Secretary Heni Hamidah told ANTARA News London office on Saturday.

The ceremony was also attended by John Perry, TD, Minister for Small Businesses at the Department of Jobs, Enterprises and Innovation Adrian O`Neill, Secretary-General to the President, and Brendan Rogers, Deputy Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

When submitting the credentials from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the Irish President, Ambassador Hamzah conveyed warm greetings from the Indonesian President and the people of Indonesia to the Irish President and people.

The ambassador also made a commitment to boost the bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields, and ranks involving Irish multi-stakeholders with the Irish government, parliament, businessmen, academicians and think tanks, and people-to-people contacts.

The ceremony was also marked with Military Honors by the Guards of Honors of the Irish Armed Forces for Ambassador Hamzah Thayeb and the playing of the Indonesian anthem Indonesia Raya.

According to tradition in Ireland, Ambassador Hamzah Thayeb and Madame Lastry Thayeb and a master of political ceremony proceeded to the Irish Presidential Palace with a car of the local foreign office.

Following the handing of credentials Ambassador Hamzah and Madame Lastry Thayeb and a political MC were welcomed by members of the diplomatic community and representatives of leading Irish stakeholders in a Vin D`Honneur at Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin.

Ambassador Hamzah Thayeb in his working visit to Dublin also made 13 courtesy calls to government officials, businesses and University College of Dublin which also explored educational cooperation development.

Hamzah Thayeb had the opportunity to make a keynote speech at an Indonesian Business Luncheon on economic, trade and investment cooperation with Indonesia in London on May 24, 2012.

The Indonesian ambassador was also scheduled to attend the Inaugural EU Asia Top Economist Rountable on May 25 and hold a meeting with members of the Indonesian community in Ireland on Friday.

Hamzah Thayeb is the 10th ambassador since the two countries established diplomatic relations on September 4, 1984.

He took over from Yuri Thamrin in November 2011.

Hamzah Thayeb is a career diplomat and was the director general for Asia, Pasific and Africa in Jakarta and the ambassador to Australia.
(T.ZG/Uu.H-NG/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012