REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The withdrawal of the Australian ambassador to Indonesia will not disrupt the trade relations between Indonesia and Australia, stated Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
"The withdrawal will not interrupt trade relations between Indonesia and Australia," Kalla remarked here on Wednesday (29/4).
In terms of trade, Kalla noted that Indonesia's imports from Australia are considerably higher. Indonesia is an important trading partner to Australia.
Australia's primary exports to Indonesia include wheat, livestock such as beef and cattle, petroleum, aluminum, and cotton, while Indonesia's major exports include crude and refined petroleum, gold, iron, steel, and aluminum structures.
Regarding the withdrawal of Australia's ambassador to Indonesia, he explained that it is a normal step in diplomatic relations.
"The withdrawal of Australia's ambassador to Indonesia is temporary," he said.
On a separate occasion, Professor of International Law from the University of Indonesia (UI) Hikmahanto Juwana stated that the Indonesian government should act wisely while facing Australia's reaction.
Earlier, Australia had recalled its ambassador from Indonesia after two Australian men were executed for drug smuggling.
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were among the eight people from several countries executed by firing squad shortly after midnight, on Wednesday, on the prison island of Nusakambangan.
The eight drug convicts comprised Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran (Australia), Raheem Agbaje Salami (Nigeria), Zainal Abidin (Indonesia), Rodrigo Gularte (Brazil), Silvester Obiekwe Nwaolise alias Mustofa (Nigeria), Martin Anderson alias Belo (Ghana), and Okwudili Oyatanze (Nigeria).
However, the execution of Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso from the Philippines has been postponed.
"We respect Indonesia's sovereignty, but we do deplore what has been done, and this cannot be simply business as usual," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said as quoted by Reuters.
"I want to stress that Australia and Indonesia share a very important relationship, but it has suffered as a result of what has been done over the last few hours." he affirmed.
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