Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Eddy Pratomo, has been hosting a public forum called Sarasehan (forum) of German-Indonesian people in Berlin every month. The Jakarta Post's contributor Christina Scott, who attended one of these forums, talked to Ambassador Eddy about relations between Indonesia and Germany. The following are the excerpts from the interview.

Christina Scott: Voters in Indonesia and Germany went to the polls this year to elect new parliaments and heads of states. How did you start your mission as an ambassador in Berlin amid this changing situation?

Eddy Pratomo: Of course, I have to consider the political situation in both countries. But my first task as an Ambassador was to support a successful election in Indonesia by ensuring 1,500 Indonesian citizens living in Berlin were able to vote. It is very important for all Indonesians to exercise their right to vote and thus become an engaged people, which decide about their own future.

At the same time, I followed closely the elections of the president of Germany and now of the German parliament and chancellor. It is very important to understand the direction of Germany's future foreign policy, since my primary objective is to turn Indonesia into one of Germany's most important, strategic partners in Asia.

What is so important about this partnership?