Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is expected to attend a function to celebrate "Nusantara" (Archipelago) Day to be held in Lembata District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on December 13, 2016.

The regional government is gearing up for the event by improving facilities and infrastructure, outgoing Lembata Deputy District Head Viktor Mado Watun stated here, recently.

The road from Lewoleba to Waijarang is being renovated and widened to 14 meters for the day.

The renovation and construction work to improve the infrastructure and facilities are estimated to cost Rp18 billion.

Nusantara Day commemorates the Djuanda Declaration signed on Dec. 13, 1957, which marked the beginning of Indonesia being acknowledged as an archipelagic nation.

The declaration, named after Prime Minister Djuanda Kartawidjaja, states that waters between Indonesian islands should also be regarded as Indonesias territorial waters instead of the traditional 12-mile delimitation.

In 1982, the principle was then internationally acknowledged through the United Nations Convention on The Law of The Sea.

Nusantara Day, which was introduced by the then president Soeharto, is observed every December 13.

Last year, the day was commemorated in the Aceh Darussalam Province in December.
(f001/INE)

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Editor: Suryanto
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