Visiting Serbia, Puan Is Shown Bung Karno's Correspondence Letter With The President

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, paid a working visit (kunker) to Serbia, one of the broken countries in Central Europe. (Ist)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, made a working visit (kunker) to Serbia, one of the broken countries in Central Europe.

During her visit to Serbia, Puan was also shown a correspendence letter written by the first President of the Republic of Indonesia Sukarno with the President of the Socialist Federal Republiconomies Josip Broz Tito.

The arrival of Puan to Serbia was held in the context of a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the Serbian National Assembly, AnaBRacic. The meeting between Puan and AnaBRacic was held at the Serbian Parliament Building in the nation's capital, Belgrade, Monday, August 26, 2024 morning local time. The arrival of Puan to Belgrade has long been scheduled at the invitation of the Serbian Parliament.

"Serbia is an important partner for Indonesia in the Balkan area, and also because relations between the two countries have high historical value," said Puan at the beginning of the meeting.

During her working visit to Serbia, Puan came with a number of DPR members, including Deputy Chairperson of BKSAP Gilang Dhiela Fararez, and DPR member Commission X Vanda Sarundajang.

Puan also thanked the Serbian Parliament's invitation to the DPR RI Delegation in order to increase cooperation between the two countries.

"Representing the DPR RI, I congratulate Mrs. AnaBRacic who was elected as Chair of the Serbian National Assembly on March 20, 2024. I believe that our meeting today can contribute to strengthening cooperation between Indonesia and Serbia," he said.

Puan explained that the relationship between Indonesia and Serbia, which has high historical value, is a strong supporter of the cooperation between the two countries in various fields today. The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Serbia began in 1954 at which time Serbia was still in the Republic of the People's Federation often. This year, Indonesia and Serbia commemorate 70 years of bilateral relations.

"This is because of the close relationship between Indonesia's first President Ir. Sukarno and President Josip Broz Tito," said Puan.

Indonesia and Serbia (previously Islam) are known to be 2 of the 5 founding countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (GNB) which began through the Asia-Africa Conference (KAA) in Bandung in 1955. Puan said that Sukarno had visited Belgrade 6 times and always received a happy welcome.

"The close relationship between President Josip Broz Tito and President Sukarno in the past can be a driving force for us to maintain the friendship between the two countries," said Bung Karno's grandson.

Puan saw the principles of Dasa Sila Bandung 1955, which also inspired the formation of NAM to remain relevant today. Several principles of Dasa Sila Bandung such as: resolving disputes peacefully, respecting the sovereignty of the country's territory are currently becoming increasingly important when the world is hit by conflict wars, and increasing geopolitical tensions.

"I appreciate Serbia's support for the stipulation of President Sukarno's Speech entitled 'To Build the World A New', at the GNB's First Meeting, as Memory of the World, UNESCO in May 2023," said Puan.

Puan's meeting with AnaBRacic was warm, where the two underlined the importance of inter-community relations (people-to-people contact) because it can be the foundation for the strong relationship between the two countries.

According to Puan, a strong historical relationship in the past can support relations between communities. To continue to support the creation of relations between communities, she sees the need for the two countries to continue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, economy, sports, research, political relations, tourism and cultural exchange.

During the meeting, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also discussed the world's geopolitical situation. Puan then explained that Indonesia's position in support of Palestine is in conflict with Israel and hopes that the Serbian parliament can participate in efforts to stop the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza which has claimed tens of thousands of victims.

"We need to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and to open access to humanitarian aid and must push for a solution through a two-state solution," he said.

At the meeting, AnaBRacic expressed his gratitude for the visit of Puan and the DPR Delegation to Serbia. He also appreciated the support of the DPR in Indonesia's partnership with Serbia so far.

"We have formed a cooperation group for the Southeast Asian Parliament where Indonesia is a key country," said AnaBRacic.

Ana Brnabic is also grateful for Indonesia's support for peace in the Balkan area. The Serbian Parliament hopes to become a delegation or observer country in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) or a session/meeting of the parliament of ASEAN countries.

After the bilateral meeting, Puan and the DPR Delegation were invited to tour the Serbian Parliament Building. Accompanied by AnaBRacic, Puan saw the spaces of parliamentary meetings that were in the same complex as the Palace of Serbia (Istana Serbia). Puan was then asked by the Serbian Parliament to write a message. The following is the message written by Puan:

I convey warm greetings from Indonesia. Hopefully my visit will strengthen the friendly relationship between Indonesia and Serbia which has been going on for a long time and can bring benefits to the people of the two countries.

From the Parliament Building, Puan continued to tour the Serbian Palace that President Sukarno visited in 1961 when Serbia was still part of lift. In fact, Puan and the DPR Delegation received a lunch from the Serbian Parliament at Crystal Salon, Palace of Serbia where 63 years ago President Sukarno and President Tito also met at the building.

After receiving a lunch from the Serbian Parliament, Puan then visited the Archives of Yugaslovia Museum in Serbia. Greeted by the museum director, Puan was shown a pile of correspondence letters between President Sukarno and President Tito.

The letters are the handwritten writings of the two friendly presidents. In addition to asking each other about the news, the letters contained discussions between the two leaders of the country on various matters. Based on information, there were 1,200 Sukarno's letters to Tito which contained many personal communications and state themes.

The Serbian government is known to have taken the initiative to explore the communication legacy of Bung Karno and Tito's friendship to generate memories about the country of status. Currently, the Bung Karno Foundation is said to have succeeded in storing around 300 letters that have been submitted by Serbia.

Not only seeing Sukarno's handwritten letter, Puan also saw a tree planted by her grandfather, Bung Karno, in 1961 in Serbia. The tree is in the Park of Friendship or peace park in Belgrade.

Before going to Serbia, Puan also held a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the Hungarian National Assembly, Lighszl Badminton K\"evér in Budapest. During the bilateral meeting, Puan and L calmszlmen K\"oveur discussed a number of issues including the provision of Schengen visas for Indonesian citizens visiting the European Union.

The meeting of Puan and L MaryszlUR K\"oveur was held at the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, Thursday 22 August. Puan's arrival to Budapest was an initiation of the Hungarian Parliament which had long given an invitation to Puan coming to visit.