Indonesia, S. Korea to Strengthen Relations between Young Generations
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi answers questions from journalists at the Bogor Palace, Friday (7/9) (Photo by: Jay/ Public Relations Division of Cabinet Secretariat)
The scheduled state visit from President Joko Jokowi Widodo to South Korea on 10-11 September and to Vietnam on 11-12 September is aimed at boosting economic cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea and between Indonesia and Vietnam, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.
Retno added that the President’s visit to South Korea is a reciprocal visit after the President of South Korea visited Indonesia last year and aims to strengthen the relations between the countries leaders as well as to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“President Jokowi and President Moon Jae-in have a very good relation which can strengthen a mutually beneficial relation between two countries,” Retno said.
Indonesia, the Foreign Minister continued, also considers South Korea as one of Indonesia’s important partners in Asia. In the midst of the worlds uncertainty, cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea in the economy, trade sector, and investment continue to grow significantly, she said.
“In the trade sector, there was almost 12 percent growth in 2017 while South Korea’s investment in Indonesia is also one of the top 10,” Retno said, adding that the Indonesian Government aims to maintain the good momentum to strengthen mutually beneficial relations in the future.
Retno added that the Presidents visit also seeks to strengthen the relations between young generations of Indonesia and South Korea.
“The millennials are the engine for the economy in the future, as well as for the relations of the two countries. Therefore, the President also wants to strengthen good relations between younger generations of the two countries, she said.
Retno further said that another purpose of President Jokowi’s visit to South Korea is to provide consistent, continuous support to the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.
After South Korea, President Jokowi is scheduled to pay a working visit to Hanoi, Vietnam. According to Retno, this visit is an invitation from Vietnamese Government.
According to her, President Jokowi will have two major agendas during the visit, namely state visit and attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN. President Jokowi along with other ASEAN leaders will attend the event, she said.
With population of more than 95 million, according to Retno, Vietnam has a large number of middle class and youth population and this is a huge potential for Indonesia to boost cooperation with Vietnam.
Retno added that the main focus of thie visit is to strengthen economic cooperation and investments between two countries.
We are all aware that a number Indonesian investors have been running their businesses in Vietnam for a long time, and the President would like to ensure that Indonesian investors can get the attention from the Vietnamese Government, Retno said.
Especially on export, Retno reminded that at the beginning of this year the President met with Vietnamese Prime Minister to specifically discuss the issue of Indonesian automotive exports to Vietnam, which at that time was disrupted due to new regulations.
President Jokowi is going to overview the implementation of the new regulations and to see if Indonesias automotive can start exporting to Vietnam,” Retno said.
President Jokowi and his entourage is scheduled to leave for South Korea from Jakarta on 9 September.
(DNA/EN/JAY/ES) (RI/STU/EP/Naster)
