President Jokowi and Timor-Leste PM Discuss Economic Zone Establishment

President Jokowi accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Law, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung during bilateral meeting with Timor-Leste PM Xanana Gusmao, at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (09/04). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao, at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (09/04). During the meeting, President Jokowi discussed land border settlement and called on Timor-Leste to establish economic zone at the border of both countries.

“Bapak President mentioned that land border is expected to be settled by the end of this year, and both leaders also agreed that it is important to improve the economic cooperation especially at the border area,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi said in her statement after the meeting.

Further, Foreign Minister said that Timor-Leste Prime Minister expressed appreciation to the support given by Indonesia to Timor-Leste on ASEAN membership.

“In the discussion, Bapak President confirmed support for capacity building in order to accelerate full membership of Timor-Leste in ASEAN,” Foreign Minister said, adding that Timor-Leste Prime Minister also expressed appreciation to Indonesia that has been a source of global peace.

“Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao also mentioned that Indonesia is a center gravity of a peace and also serves as an effective voice of peace,” she remarked.

Accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Political, Law, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, Minister for Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/UN)(AW/LW)