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Indonesian, French FMs meet to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation

Xinhua, February 28, 2017 Adjust font size:

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi met with her French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault on Tuesday, discussing ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) documents were signed by related officials of the two countries on education and diplomatic training and space activities sectors.

Besides discussing development of regional and international issues in which Indonesia and France have interests in, Retno and Ayrault also identified further cooperation in economy, trade and investment that can be expanded by the two countries.

Regarding the ongoing negotiation process of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and European Union (EU), the two ministers agreed on the need to speed up the process so as to reach agreement that paves the way for the implementation.

Possibilities to expand cooperation in counter terrorism, maritime, palm oil, tourism and efforts to build smart cities were also featured in the discussions of the two ministers.

Ayrault's visit to Indonesia was also intended to prepare for the official visit of French President Francois Hollande to Indonesia scheduled next month.

Prior to his meeting with Retno, Ayrault was officially received by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the presidential palace.

France is a significant European trade partner to Indonesia with two-way trade recorded at 2.34 billion U.S. dollars last year.

Indonesia exports electrical equipment, rubber, footwear, garments, fishery products, coffee, tea, woods and cacao to France.

French investment in Indonesia was recorded at 730.08 million U.S. dollars from 2010 to 2015, comprised of various projects in telecommunications, warehouse, transportation, water, electrical, food processing, chemical and pharmacy sectors. Endit