Indonesia-Russia to Strengthen Cooperation on Economy and Defense

President Jokowi is welcomed by President Putin at the Bucherov Rucey, Sochi, Rusia (18/5)

Starting his working visit in Sochi, Russia, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo on Wednesday (18/5) afternoon local time or 06:35 p.m. Western Indonesian Time had a tête-à-tête with President Vladimir Putin at Bocharov Rucey, the official residence of the Russian President. On the same occasion, President Jokowi also led a bilateral meeting between Indonesia and Russia.

In the bilateral meeting, President Jokowi emphasized on two areas in the cooperation, namely on the economy as well as defense and security.

“Indonesia and Russia are the members of G20. Thus, both countries obligate to contibute in the global economic recovery,” President Jokowi said while mentioning that the total bilateral trade’s value reduced from US$2.64 billion in 2014 to US$1.98 billion in 2015 or decreased by 25 percent.

Therefore, President Jokowi said that a balanced bilateral trade that has mutual benefit needs to be boosted by carrying out several measures, including by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers on palm oil, fisheries, and agriculture areas. Meanwhile, wider market access also needs to be opened as well as increasing direct contact and trade among businesspeople.

On the investment, the President hopes Russian investment is not only being used for the construction of railways in East Kalimantan, but also for other sectors, including the construction of aluminium smelter in West Kalimantan as well as for energy and infrastructure sectors.

“I also noted that Russian investment to Indonesia has decreased,” President Jokowi said.

In the cooperation on maritime sector, the President said, “I welcome Russia’s interest to establish maritime cooperation,”. The cooperation can be established by developing marine and fisheries culture and infrastructure and developing ports.

Both President have also agreed to enhance cooperation on tourism sector.

Meanwhile, on defense cooperation, President Jokowi stressed that the cooperation should not only cover primary weaponry defense system (Alutsista) procurement but also technology transfer, joint production, education, training, and student officer exchange. The cooperation is also expected to cover the establishment of sevice center for Alutsista maintenance and repairment in Indonesia.

Both Presidents have also agreed to improve intelligence data exchange to fight against terrorism.

Accompanying the President during the meeting were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Indonesian Ambassador to the Russia Wahid Supriyadi. (TKP/UN) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)