Deputy Chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of the DPR RI, Bramantyo Suwondo, stated the strong commitment of the Indonesian parliament to strengthen cooperation with Italy, especially through parliamentary diplomacy. This commitment was conveyed by Bramantyo after receiving a courtesy call from the Italian Ambassador to Indonesia at the Nusantara III Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/6/2025). "We are starting the introduction with the new Italian Ambassador, while also conveying the desire to strengthen relations between the parliaments of the two countries," said Bramantyo in his written statement, Saturday (7/6/2025).
Bramantyo explained that future cooperation between Indonesia and Italy will focus on three strategic sectors, namely education, culture, and economy. In the education sector, the DPR RI encourages the realization of student exchange and scholarship programs between the two countries. "We hope that this cooperation can be followed up by the Italian government so that there will be student exchanges and scholarships between the two countries," he said. Not only education, Bramantyo also emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy. He said that although Italian culture is quite well-known in Indonesia, Indonesian culture still needs to be introduced more widely to the Italian public. "Starting from culinary to dance, both traditional and contemporary, can be a means of cultural diplomacy. Even in the meeting earlier, GKSB members such as Once [vocalist and member of the DPR] also conveyed the importance of building relations between Indonesian and Italian musicians," he explained. He added that strengthening intercultural relations is believed to be able to build a deeper understanding between the people of the two countries. "Indonesia and Italy have similarities in a strong family cultural background. This is a big capital in strengthening people-to-people relations," explained Bramantyo.
