Above: PM Baldwin Spencer and Foreign Minister Dr RM Marty Matalegawa (Photo: Antigua Government)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Antigua and Barbuda and Indonesia have established formal diplomatic relations, following the signing of an agreement by Antigua Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr RM Marty Matalegawa.

The ceremony took place at the UN General Assembly in New York, where Spencer and Matalegawa were joined by Ambassador David Shoul and Sen. Dr Edmond Mansoor.

“I am pleased that we are able to complete this internationally recognized act of establishing diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Spencer said. “And while it is true that Antigua and Barbuda and Indonesia — both past chairs of the Group of 77 and China — have cooperated together at the multilateral level, we can now begin a new phase between our two countries — enhanced bilateral cooperation.”

The two officials instructed their delegations to begin immediate work on developing a road map for bilateral cooperation between the two countries, including the areas of education, trade, tourism, ICT and investment.

“Indonesia stands ready to assist Antigua and Barbuda in meeting its development priorities and will do its utmost to become a true bilateral partner,” Natalegawa said.