The commemoration, which showcased representative elements of the culture and traditions of this Southeast Asian nation, was attended by high-ranking officials of the Cuban government and state, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Caribbean island.
In the welcoming remarks, Ms. Nana Yuliana, Indonesian Ambassador to Cuba, noted the importance of the anniversary and emphasized the bonds of friendship that bind the two countries.
The diplomat congratulated Cuba on the success of the recent Group of 77 summit held in that capital.
He also noted his country’s political, economic, social and cultural progress.
In this sense, he drew attention to the political stability achieved and the rise of its economy, which is one of the largest in the world.
He stressed that Indonesia has hosted several summits in recent years and that its leadership role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has helped increase the prosperity of its member countries.
The celebration, known as Jalan Proklamasi, commemorates Indonesia’s declaration of independence from Dutch colonialism by its leader Sukarno, considered its founding father in the country, on August 17, 1945.
President Sukarno was the first head of state to visit Cuba after the revolutionary triumph of January 1, 1959, when diplomatic relations were established between the two nations, celebrating their 63rd anniversary this year.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry reports on its official website that the historic bilateral relations were forged on the basis of friendship and agreement of principles between President Sukarno and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro in defending sovereignty and social justice.
Since then, Cuba and Indonesia have maintained close relations of friendship and cooperation based on mutual respect, a will that the government of the Caribbean country wants to maintain, according to public statements by its President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other senior officials of the Antilles nation.
Indonesia is made up of thousands of volcanic islands and is home to hundreds of ethnic groups who speak different languages. With a population of more than 237 million people, the country is the fourth largest country in the world.
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