Indonesia, Thailand to Boost Cooperation Amidst Low Rubber Price

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State Secretary, welcomes Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/3). (Photo by: Jay/PR)

Indonesia has invited Thailand to collaborate in dealing with low rubber price, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

The President made the statement during a meeting with Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai at the Merdeka Palace, Wednesday (13/3).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia are the world’s largest rubber producers,” she said.

The President, according to Retno, said that there is no other option to deal with low global rubber price but to strengthen the cooperation to prevent further decrease of the price.

“Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Thailand is committed to preventing further decrease of the rubber price.” Retno said, adding that President Jokowi and Minister Don Pramudwinai also discussed the 70 years of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Thailand.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also expressed his concern with Rakhine State issue and Indo Pacific cooperation.

“Regarding Rakhine State issue, the President said that ASEAN’s involvement is pivotal in supporting Myanmar to achieve voluntary, peaceful and dignified repatriation,” she said.

Retno went on to say that today is the last day for the Preliminary Meet Assessment Team from the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and ASEAN Secretariat that has been working from  4 March.

The Minister further said that the team are still discussing the result of its mission in Myanmar and will return for the updates, followed by the Comprehensive Team that will stay much longer there afterwards. She added that the team’s involvement is based on the decision of the last ASEAN Summit held in Singapore last year.

“Indonesia’s initiative was met with a positive response from other ASEAN countries, including Myanmar. We hope that the deployment of Comprehensive Meet Assessment Team will be carried out soon,” Retno said, adding that Thailand also supports Indonesia’s initiative for the Indo Pacific cooperation. (DNS/HIM/JAY/ES)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Edited by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman/M. Ersan Pamungkas