KBRN, Jakarta: The interfaith and intercultural dialogue between Indonesia and the European Union has been held once again in Jakarta through the Indonesia–EU Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue. The forum brought together religious leaders, academicians, civil society representatives, and policymakers from both sides to strengthen cooperation in promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and intercultural understanding.

Director of Public Diplomacy at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ani Nigeriawati, said the forum serves as a platform to reinforce people-to-people connectivity, build an understanding of living together peacefully, and encourage the practice of religious moderation.

“So the last one was in 2012. And then last year at the Indonesia–European Union Human Rights Dialogue 2024, we decided to look into it again and how we can reactivate this dialogue because we believe that interfaith and intercultural dialogue is very much important for our people-to-people connectivity, to share of course the understanding of peaceful coexistence and also the practice of religious moderation in Indonesia,” Ani said after the opening of the Indonesia–EU Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue on Thursday (11/27/2025) in Jakarta.

According to her, the last dialogue was held in 2012. During the Indonesia–European Union Human Rights Dialogue 2024, both sides agreed to review and reactivate the initiative, as it is considered essential for enhancing people-to-people relations and strengthening the values of peaceful coexistence.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, Stéphane Mechati, highlighted that Indonesia and the EU share the same motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika or “United in Diversity,” which serves as an important foundation for bilateral cooperation. He affirmed that the religious and belief dimensions of society must not be overlooked, as they play a crucial role in building trust and expanding the vision of the partnership.

“We have in common this motto, which is an institutional motto in the European Union, and which is a constitutional motto in the Republic of Indonesia, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika "United in Diversity" is the motto of the European Union. So, this is why we should not, we shall never neglect the religious and the belief dimension of our societies, to build trust and confidence every day, to have a larger vision of our partnership. We need to integrate those dimensions, and again, I am sure that this will contribute to foster our partnership,” Stephane said.

Stéphane also stated that integrating these values is believed to further strengthen Indonesia–EU relations, especially as leaders from both regions continue to engage in dialogue and meet on various occasions.