President Jokowi: Indonesia and Serbia Have Strong Historical Bond

: President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana, receives the arrival of President of Serbia Tomislav Nikoli? who is accompanied by his spouse Dragica Nicolic at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (27/4) afternoon

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, received President of Serbia Tomislav Nikoli? who was accompanied by his spouse Dragica Nicolic at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (27/4) afternoon. It was the first visit for the President of Serbia to Indonesia in the last 58 years.

President Jokowi admitted that he is glad to receive the visit of President of Serbia Tomislav Nikoli? to Indonesia. “I remember our productive meeting in Paris in November 2015. I believe this meeting will strengthen the cooperation between our two countries, be it in bilateral, regional, or global cooperations,” President Jokowi said during his remarks.

According to President Jokowi, for bilateral cooperation, he wants to prioritize economic cooperation, particularly on trade and investment sectors. The second one is on social and cultural sectors, particularly on education. “While for regional and global cooperations, I want to promote the issue of terrorism and immigration,” the President added.

Historical Bond

In a joint press conference, President Jokowi said that Indonesia and Serbia have a strong historical bond. The President mentioned that both countries had important roles at the founding of Non-Aligned Movement.

“Today, we have discussed the enhancement of concrete cooperation to be developed by our two countries,” President Jokowi stated.

According to the President, the value of trade between the two nations significantly increased by 85 percent in the past five years. However, the President added, Indonesia expects market access for its products to be expanded, as well as tariff and non-tariff barriers to be reduced or removed.

President Jokowi also mentioned that Indonesia’s investment in Serbia continues to increase, particularly on food product. “President of Serbia has supported Indonesia’s investment in Serbia,” President Jokowi said adding that he also promotes to carry on bilateral dialogue, and the two countries have agreed to enhance people to people contact by carrying on Darmasiswa scholarship of Indonesia and scholarship from Serbia.

On the occasion, two cooperation documents were also signed, which are the visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders as well as cooperation program on education sector.

Also attending the event were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Education and Culture Anies Baswedan, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, Attorney General HM Prasetyo, and Chief of Indonesian National Police (Polri) Gen. Badrodin Haiti. (DID/RAH/ES)RAS/EP//YM/Naster)