Crown Prince Couple’s Visit to Indonesia

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit paid a three-day visit to Indonesia from November 26th to 28th. They were accompanied by a large delegation of representatives of the Norwegian trade, industry and public administration. The couple arrived already in the evening of November 25th in Jakarta and was greeted at their hotel by Norwegian children.

The first day started with an event promoting Norwegian seafood to Indonesian guests. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit themselves put on an apron and helped to prepare and serve the salmon. They revealed that they eat a lot of fish at home, especially Sashimi Sushi, which their children like very much.

Later, they were welcomed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Ibu Ani Yudhoyono at the Presidential Palace. Main topics of the talks were international climate and development issues, in which President Yudhoyono is actively involved in. After an official luncheon, the Crown Prince Couple met the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr Surin Pitsuwan. Human rights are an important issue on the ASEAN agenda, and Crown Prince Haakon opened the Bilateral Human Rights Dialogue.

After a meeting with members of the Norwegian business delegation, the day ended with an official dinner, hosted by Minister of National Development Planning, Ms Armida Alisjahbana.

On the second day, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attended the plenary session “Indonesia-Norway. Strategic partnership in Business” and the seminar “Moving Beyond Carbon – REDD+ towards Sustainable Growth with Equity” in Jakarta. Crown Prince Haakon continued with a luncheon with forest and climate champions, while Crown Princess Mette-Marit visited the Budi Kemuliaan Maternity Hospital. In the afternoon, the couple attended the opening of the new office of ‘Innovation Norway’ and met Indonesian members of Global Shapers and Young Global Leaders.

The second day ended with a short concert with Norwegian trumpet virtuoso Ole Edvard Antonsen, followed by a Norwegian seafood buffet hosted by the Norwegian ambassador.

On the last day, the Crown Prince Couple travelled to Yogyakarta. The sultanate is a province of Indonesia, but has a special, partially autonomous status. There they met Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and his wife Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas.

After visiting Gadjah Mada University, one of Indonesia’s oldest and most prestigious universities, they concluded the stay with a tour of the impressive Borobudur Temple, a large Buddhist temple which was built in the 9th century.

The couple clearly enjoyed the visit. Crown Princess Mette-Marit said, “I think Indonesia is a country where one can easily fall in love with the people because you are faced with such incredible joy. And no matter where you are, there are lots of smiles, and people here are fond of music. Here are many very lovely and fine people.”

Filed under Norway
Tagged Bilateral Relations, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Environment, Human Rights, Indonesia, Official Visit, President Yudhoyono of Indonesia.