Receiving The Visit Of The Spanish Ambassador, Menbud Fadli Zon Agrees To Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, received a farewell visit from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, HE Francisco de Asos Aguilera Aranda, at the Office of the Ministry of Culture, Jakarta, Monday, July 21, 2025. This meeting marked the end of Ambassador Francisco's tenure and became a momentum to strengthen cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Menbud Fadli Zon expressed his appreciation for the contribution of Ambassador Francisco for four years. He emphasized the importance of continuing and renewing cultural agreements that have been signed since 2004. We want to follow up or renew existing cultural cooperation," said Fadli.

Ambassador Francisco welcomed the invitation. He considered the establishment of the Ministry of Culture to be a great opportunity to encourage concrete cooperation. "The existence of cultural authorities is very important to support future projects," he said.

Menbud Fadli also highlighted the need for cooperation in the field of film, including co-production, along with advances in technology and artificial intelligence. He also encouraged collaboration in accelerating the Intangible Cultural Heritage to UNESCO.

One of the other strategic agendas is the plan to establish an Indonesian Cultural House in Europe. "We believe the presence of a cultural house can strengthen Indonesia's existence in the eyes of the world," said Fadli, who was accompanied by the Director General of Culture's Diplomacy Endah TD Retnoastuti and the Expert Staff of the Minister of Culture Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkitri.

Fadli also mentioned the importance of the existence of Instituto Cervantes as a space for Spanish cultural learning. However, he regretted that the institution is no longer active in Indonesia. As a solution, he initiated literacy cooperation with a number of universities in the country.

This visit also discussed Spain's participation in the 2025 THANDI Summit which will be held in early September. Fadli invited the Spanish Minister of Culture to attend with cultural stakeholders.

Closing the meeting, Fadli hoped that Ambassador Francisco's successor could continue the strong foundation that had been built. "The spirit of friendship and cultural cooperation must continue to live," he said.

Ambassador Francisco emphasized the commitment of the Spanish government to support cultural cooperation through the embassy and related ministries.