President Jokowi, French Foreign Minister Agree to Boost Indonesia-EU CEPA Negotiations
President Jokowi hosts French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information Affairs of Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Wednesday (24/11), at the Merdeka Palace hosted French Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian who is in Indonesia for an official visit.
During the meeting, President Jokowi stated five key points concerning bilateral relations between the two countries.
“I would like to deliver several points. First, I agree we need to intensify our communication next year since Indonesia will be the Chair of G20 and France will be the President of the European Union,” President Jokowi said.
Second, during the presidency of France at the European Union, the President also expressed hope that negotiations in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union will be expedited and is expected to yield concrete result.
Third, the President expressed hope that France can partner with Indonesia to promote an open, just, and non-discriminative trade. The President also expressed support sustainable trade.
“I really support sustainable trade. However, I disagree over the environmental issues used to hinder the trade,” he said.
Fourth, President Jokowi expressed appreciation for the development of the bilateral relations by a new dialog mechanism, namely the 2+2 meeting (Minister of Foreign Affairs–Minister of Defense) between the two countries.
Fifth, President Jokowi expressed his appreciation for France for the support for Indonesia in providing 4.8 million doses of vaccine.
Joining the President during the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Cabinet Secretariat Pramono Anung. Meanwhile, French Minister of Foreign Affairs was accompanied by French Ambassador to Indonesia Oliver Chambard. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information Affairs of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (AW/EP)
