President Jokowi, German Chancellor Merkel Hold Online Bilateral Meeting
President Joko Widodo and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold online bilateral meeting (13/04/2021). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau/ Muchlis Jr).
One day after the opening of Hannover Messe 2021, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (13/04) from Bogor Palace in West Java province joined German Chancellor Angel Merkel for an online bilateral meeting.
During the meeting, Chancellor Merkel extended her appreciation to Indonesia for its readiness to become an official partner country at Hannover Messe 2021 and expressed belief that the partnership between Indonesia and Germany can bring many advantages to strengthen bilateral relations between two countries.
Chancellor Merkel added that Indonesia will be the chair of G20, while Germany will be the chair of G7; thus, the two countries are expected to synergize proper working priorities.
In the meantime, President Jokowi extended his appreciation to Chancellor Merkel for her contribution in maintaining Indonesia-Germany bilateral relations for almost sixteen years.
During the online meeting, the two leaders also openly talked about several bilateral issues, including cooperation in the sectors of health, economy, and climate change.
In the health sector, the two leaders discussed COVID-19 handling measures in the two countries, while touching on the issue of the rise of vaccine nationalism that can disrupt world’s availability of vaccines and vaccine access for people around the world.
According to President Jokowi, COVID-19 positive confirmation cases in Indonesia have started to decrease, adding that the condition is better than before thanks to the implementation of health protocols as well as micro lockdown policy, namely micro-based approach in restrictions on community activities (PPKM Mikro).
The President also explained vaccination program with Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines that has begun in Indonesia, while stressing the importance for the two countries to build cooperation in the health sector in the future.
In the investment and industry sectors, Chancellor Merkel pointed out Indonesia’s potential to become Germany’s important partner.
Echoing a similar sentiment, President Jokowi stated that investment plays an important role to rebuild economy. Therefore, the President added, the Indonesian Government has issued Job Creation Law to boost cooperation in the investment sector.
On that occasion, the President also appealed to Germany to cooperate with Indonesia in human resource development through vocational education and by increasing German industrial investment to build Germany’s global production base and supply chain (German Industrial Quarter) in the Integrated Industrial Area of Batang in Central Java province.
On the climate change’s issues, the two leaders expressed commitment to reduce gas emission.
“Indonesia is highly committed to the green growth,” the President said, adding that one of the efforts carried out by the Government is mangrove forest restoration and building sustainable energy.
Myanmar’s issue is also one of the topics discussed related to regional issues.
According to the President, Indonesia’s stance from the beginning was very clear, namely to call for a stop to the use of force in Myanmar and to foster dialogue.
For the record, Germany is one of Indonesia’s most important partners in Europe. The two countries have had a comprehensive partnership since 2012.
Germany is also Indonesia’s 4th largest investment partner in Europe and German tourists in Indonesia are the 3th most from Europe. (Presidential Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau/UN) (AP/EP)
