An ambassador indeed has to stay in the country where he is accredited to deepen relations ..."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has expressed hope that Australias Ambassador to the country Paul Grigson would be able to immediately carry out his duty to boost bilateral relations between the two countries.

"We hope the Australian ambassador can carry out his duty to deepen the relations between his country and Indonesia," Indonesian foreign ministrys spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir remarked here on Thursday.

He made the statement in response to the arrival of Ambassador Paul Grigson to Indonesia after he was summoned by the Australian government in connection with the implementation of death penalty on two Australian citizens convicted of narcotic drug crimes.

Nasir emphasized that an ambassador was indeed supposed to stay in the country where he was posted.

"An ambassador indeed has to stay in the country where he is accredited to deepen relations, and this is what we also hope from the Australian ambassador," he affirmed.

The Australian government recalled Grigson as a mark of protest over Indonesias decision to implement death penalty on Australian citizens Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran on April 29, 2015, after they were convicted of involvement in narcotic crimes.

Grigson was recalled on May 3, 2015. While announcing the recall, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott had affirmed that the step was taken as an official protest against Indonesia.

The Australian government had also decided to temporarily suspend ministerial-level visits to Indonesia.

"This is a dark moment in the relations between the two countries," Abbott had remarked.

Grigson is believed to have returned to Indonesia since Monday and has been active on his social media Twitter handle @DubesAustralia.

Grigson was named ambassador to Indonesia to replace Greg Moriarty, who is now assigned as coordinator of the counter-terrorism agency in Australia.

The position of Australian ambassador in Indonesia is considered vital in view of the evolving political dynamics and the highs and lows in the relations between the two countries.

(Reporting by Yuni Arisandy/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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