Presidents Working Visit to Europe Focuses on Cooperation on Economy and Peace
President Jokowi talks with Vice President Jusuf Kalla before departing from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, to Europe (17/4)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Sunday, 17 April 2016, at 08.15 a.m. Western Indonesian Time departed from Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Jakarta, to Berlin, Germany, on the Presidential aircraft.
President Jokowi is planned to conduct a 5-day-working visit to 4 European countries: Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The working visit is conducted to fulfill the invitation from several European countries leaders.
The working visit adopts the theme: to strengthen cooperation with the European Union (EU), particularly on the economy, to strengthen tolerance, as well as to create world peace.
The EU is a Strategic Traditional Partner
The EU is one of Indonesias strategic traditional partner in addressing new global challenges.
Indonesia will prioritize partnership on trading, investment, maritime, and water management. The EU is one of Indonesias main partner on trade and investment sectors.
Indonesia-the EU bilateral trade value in 2015 has generated US$26.14 billion, and makes the EU as Indonesia’s 4th largest trading partner. Meanwhile, the EU is Indonesias third largest investor with investment value is at US$2.26 billion in 2015.
A Call to Spread Tolerance Values
Moreover, President Jokowi will call on European countries leaders to spread the values of tolerance and peace amidst the act of extremism and terrorism that occur around the world. As the largest muslim population country, the President will use the working visit to invite European countries leaders to spread the values of tolerance and peace through various channels, including digital methods and social media.
The world leaders must work together in a spirit of partnership and togetherness to seek solutions for new challenges as well as to materialize humanity and justice.
The President hopes his visit to four European countries will bring concrete benefits that would be felt by Indonesian and the EU citizens.
For the upcoming five days, the President is scheduled to meet German Chancellor, British Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
The most interesting point of this visit is the President, for the first time, will meet three Presidents of the European Union, which are President of the European Council, President of the European Parliament, and President of the European Commission.
The President is also scheduled to conduct a business meeting with the entrepreneurs of the EU and Indonesian diaspora in Europe.
In the working visit, the President is accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Trade Thomas Trikasih Lembong, and Special Staff to the President Ari Dwipayana. (UN/EN) (RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)
