Indonesia, Armenia to Increase IT Cooperation, P to P Relations
President Jokowi accompanied by a number of Indonesia Onward Cabinet Ministers in a bilateral meeting with representatives of the Armenian Republic led by its President Armen Sarkissian, at the Palace Suites, Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates, Monday (13/1). (Photo by:Rahmat/PR)
Bilateral ties between Indonesia and the Republic of Armenia which has been built upon long historical connections must be encouraged into a bilateral mutual partnership.
The statement was made by President Jokowi “Joko” Widodo in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, at the Palace Suites, Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday (13/1).
Based on press release of Bureau of Press, Media and Information of the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat, President Jokowi in the bilateral meeting called for expansion of cooperation in the areas of Information Technology (IT) and makes it as one of both countries’ cooperation priorities.
He added that owing to the rapid development of IT industry and startup companies in Armenia, the potential for this cooperation is growing.
“Startup and innovation industries are also developing in Indonesia. In fact, Indonesia is in the top 10 of the world’s highest number of unicorn startups,” President Jokowi said.
To President Jokowi’s call for cooperation, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian confirmed that he agreed to cooperate with Indonesia on IT sector.
Also on that occasion, President Jokowi said that he expected Armenia’s support to the signing of a free trade zone agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The free trade agreement will have great benefits since the market of Indonesia and the EAEU has 450 million people combined.
The President added that in October 2019, Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Commission have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in Jakarta which serves as the initial step towards the free trade agreement.
In an effort to enhance people-to-people contact among both countries, President Jokowi asked the Armenian Government to provide Visa Exemption or Free Visa facilities to Indonesian citizens.
“Indonesia has granted Free Visa facilities to citizens of Armenia. I hope Armenia can do the same because I believe it will make closer people-to-people relations between Indonesia and Armenia,” the President stated.
President Sarkissian, in turn, said that his government will follow up the suggestion immediately. “I will soon order the related government officials to process the Free Visa facilities,” he added.
Accompanying President Jokowi in that meeting were, among others, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for the Economy AirlanggaHartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs RetnoMarsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Indonesia’s Ambassador to the UAE HusinBagis. (EN/RAH/ES)
Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by : Lulu Wuliarti
