President Jokowi and PM Turnbull to Discuss Indonesia-Australia Digital Conference

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 17 Maret 2018
Category: News
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President Jokowi and PM Turnbull hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit,at International Convention Centre, Sydney, Saturday (17/3) (Photo: BPMI).

President Jokowi and PM Turnbull hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit,at International Convention Centre, Sydney, Saturday (17/3) (Photo: BPMI).

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo held a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, at International Convention Centre, Sydney, on Saturday (17/3).

The meeting began at 11 am local time and discussed bilateral issues between Indonesia and Australia. The first point discussed was the result of 2+2 meeting between Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Defense of the two countries held on Friday, 16 March. The President was very pleased by the results. “I expect the sign of maritime affairs cooperation action plan will be soon implemented. Both Foreign Ministers has also exchanged views on architecture concept of Indo-Pacific region. I hope a consultation on Indo-Pacific will be continued to build stability, peace, and prosperity in Indo-Pacific region,” the President said.

The President further discussed Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economy Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). As we are all aware, the last negotiation about IA-CEPA was conducted on 6-7 March 2018. “There is a progress but still ongoing. The final negotiation results must bring benefit for both countries. We should not see only the commercial aspect from this negotiation but also stress on partnership and cooperation,” he added.

The President also hopes that Australia could give positive respond to the proposed cooperation. The cooperation are, among others, on working holiday visa, high education and vocational training, professional standard, industry and agriculture development, including farming, and internship program for students or professionals.

The third bilateral issue discussed was Indonesia-Australia Digital Conference. The President conveyed the well held conferences must be soon followed up. The follow up are including to increase the role of Small Medium Enterprises (SME) start-up in developing digital innovation, Next Indonesia Unicorn, boosting digital literation, and smart government initiative to improve public services.

On the bilateral meeting, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Defence Rymizard Ryacudu, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, Chairman of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Kristiarto Legowo, and Director General for Asia Pacific and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Desra Percaya. Meanwhile, PM Turnbull was accompanied by among others Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop. (BPMI/EN) (EPI/YM/Naster)

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