Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian Ambassador to Russia and Belarus Jose Tavares inaugurated the Indonesia-Russia Youth Association (IRYA) on Tuesday (Dec 29).

The Indonesia-Russia Youth Association was inaugurated by Ambassador Tavares along with the IRYA executives, and Indonesian students in Russia who are members of the Indonesian Student Association in Russia (or so-called Permira).

IRYA is a forum that bridges the relationship between the younger generations of Indonesia and Russia.

In his remarks, Ambassador Tavares said IRYA was expected to further strengthen people-to-people contact, especially between the Indonesian and Russian younger generations.

The launch of IRYA also coincides with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"IRYA is very important as it bridges the Indonesian and Russian nations," Ambassador Tavares said.

"It is an evidence of the close relationship between Indonesia and Russia, not only between the two governments, but also between the youths of the two countries," he added.

The ambassador emphasized that the role of the younger generation, especially students, is very significant in developing the bilateral relations.

The formation of IRYA was pioneered by the Indonesian youths, especially those who are studying in Russia, and the Russian students and academics, as well as Indonesianists.

According to the ambassador, IRYA and the Indonesian Student Association in Russia can work together in order to strengthen the two nations’ ties.

Meanwhile, IRYA chairperson Alfachreza Azure hoped IRYA could be part of the diplomacy of the two nations.

IRYA members are not only students, but also other younger people, including professionals.

"We want to bridge the youths of the two nations so that everything we aspire to can be channelled, both through good relations between Indonesia and Russia, as well as diplomatic activities in the form of soft power diplomacy," said Alrachreza, an Indonesian student who is currently a master student majoring in International Relations at Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) in Moscow.

The relations between Indonesia and Russia continue to develop, including in the fields of education and people-to-people contact.

The number of Indonesian students in Russia increases every year. Most of them study under the Russian government scholarship programs.

Currently there are more than 700 Indonesian students studying in 38 cities in Russia, from Kaliningrad in the westernmost region, to Vladivostok in the easternmost region.

Reporting by Indonesia Window