President Jokowi Meets EU Vice President

President Jokowi accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs receives Vice-President of the European Union at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (8/4)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo accompanied by Foreign Affairs received Vice-President of the European Union (EU) Federica Mogherini at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (8/4) afternoon. The visit is focussed to discuss the EU-Indonesia and the EU-ASEAN relations.

According to Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, the meeting discussed a range of bilateral issues comprising investments on trade and tourism, extremism and terrorism, climate change, as well as education.

Retno explained that the EU is one of Indonesia’s trading partner. The EU is Indonesia’s 4^th largest trading partner, while Indonesia-the UE bilateral trade figure in 2015, for example, has generated US$26 billion.

“On the investment sector, value of the EU investments in Indonesia is estimated at US$2.26 billion in 2015 and makes the EU as Indonesia’s third largest investor,” Retno Marsudi said during a press statement at the Merdeka Palace, on Friday (8/4) evening.

Meanwhile, on tourism sector, Retno said that the number of tourists from the EU countries visiting Indonesia reaches 1 million people per year.

On trade and investment context, Retno added that there are still a lot of opportunities that can be explored. Therefore, Indonesian Trade Minister will visit Brussels to discuss the scoping paper or the scope document that was made before having a negotiation.

“Thus, scoping papers will become our basis before starting a negotiation with the EU counterpart on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or known as Indonesia-EUCEPA.

Furthermore, Retno hopes the documents will be ready and can be submitted to the EU once the Minister of Trade returns from Brussels.

On the occasion, Retno said that the meeting also discussed extremism and terrorism issues. Retno said that both countries exchanged information because Indonesia is considered as a country that has been successfully eradicated extremism and terrorism. Therefore, on Saturday (9/4), the EU delegates will conduct a visit to Sentul to carry out the discussion on de-radicalisation issues. President Jokowi and Mogherini also shared their opinion on the issue of migration.

“Besides counter terrorism issues, President Jokowi and Mogherini also discussed migration issues. As you might be aware that the EU is currently facing a great challenge in the issue of migration,” Retno said.

Retno added that Indonesia is the first country in Southeast Asia which has frame work agreement on partnership, comprehensive partnership and cooperation with the EU, in which is an agreement basis which shows commitment of both countries to prioritize the bilateral relations.

“Mogherini is also scheduled to open an education expo tomorrow. As many as 23 of EU member countries which have representative offices in Jakarta will participate in the expo. Mogherini and I will open the expo considering we have strong cooperation on education,” Retno, who accompanied President Jokowi in the meeting, said. (FID/EN) (RAS /YM/Naster)