Indonesia expects to maintain its relationship with neighboring Singapore, particularly in the economy, and to take it together to a higher level.

“I know that Singapore has a very important contribution to global economic issues. So Indonesia is working very closely with Singapore on promoting common interests on global economic issues as well,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa during the celebration of Singapore’s 45th National Day at the Singaporean Embassy in Jakarta on Monday evening.

Marty described relations between Indonesia and the island-state as robust and healthy.

“We work very closely in the ASEAN on many issues … It is a very happy state of affairs,” he said.

He mentioned that safety and security of vessels was among their concerns and named “maritime borders of limitation” as challenges that should be overcome together.

Future potential, he said, lay in fully utilizing the complementary economic relationship with Singapore as a financial hub.

“Indonesia is very resource rich and has a very young population that can really propel itself to higher limits of economical cooperation,” he said.

The celebration saw a number of Indonesian political, financial and social figures as well as a number of foreign ambassadors and Singaporean government officials.

“I’m very happy to see so many friends and people join us on our national day,” said Singaporean Ambassador Ashok Mirpuri.

According to Mirpuri, the celebration reflected the good relations both countries have established, particularly in politics and the economy.

“Singapore is one of the top investors in Indonesia one of its largest trading partners,” he said.

He said the close personal ties between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Shin Lung had strengthened “the bonds between two countries”.

“We’ve set up working groups the last time the President and the prime minister met,” Mirpuri said.

On the night, large photographs of Singapore spanning back from the 1960s to the present bore testament to the country’s exponential development. (gzl)