Jokowi Reacts After Netherlands Acknowledging 17 August 1945 As Indonesia's Independence Day

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The Kingdom of Netherlands has officially acknowledged the date of Indonesia's Independence Day after decades of refusal. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte made his remark during a parliament session on Wednesday.

Mark Rutte said that the Netherlands acknowledged fully that Indonesia gained his Independence Day on 17 August 1945.

President Joko Widodo reacted positively to the announcement. He said this would have a good impact on many things. But Jokowi said he will consult with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi for the next steps.

"Well, it's good, but later we will see. I will ask the input from the Minister for Foreign Affairs because the impacts are going everywhere," said President Jokowi in Jakarta on Thursday.

The Netherlands was one of the countries which colonized Indonesia, and the longest. The notorious Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) that had detestable reputation in Indonesia was also founded in the Netherlands.

After Indonesia gained independence during the final stage of World War II in 1945, Netherlands was attacking Indonesia again, until the two countries settled down in 1949.

Netherlands insisted Indonesia only gained independence day on 27 December 1949 during the so-called soevereiniteitsoverdracht (Transfer of Sovereignty).

In 2005, however, the Netherlands principally admitted that Indonesia gained independence in 1945. 

Despite the long colonization by the Netherlands, the relationship between two countries are currently on good terms, and romantic relationships between people of two countries are not uncommon. Netherland is also a popular study destination for young Indonesians. And acording to the state-news agency Antara, there were 1.522 Indonesian students in the Netherlands per 2022.

Lizsa Egeham and Elin Yunita Kristanti contributed to this report.