Indonesia, France looks to step up bilateral cooperation
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met with her French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Jakarta on February 28 to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Photo: EPA/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia’s Foreign Minister RetnoMarsudi met with her French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Jakarta onFebruary 28 to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
They confirmed that the two countries willexpand economic, trade and investment partnerships. They agreed on the need toaccelerate the negotiation on a comprehensive economic partnership agreementbetween Indonesia and the EU.
The foreign ministers also looked into thepossibility of boosting ties in counter-terrorism, navigation, palm oil,tourism, and smart city building efforts.
At the meeting, officials of the two countriessigned two memoranda of understanding on education, diplomatic training andspace activities.
The visit to Indonesia by Foreign MinisterAyrault is also intended to prepare for an official trip to this country byFrench President Francois Hollande next month.
France is currently an important Europeantrading partner of Indonesia with bilateral trade at 2.34 billion USD in 2016.The Southeast Asian nation’s exports to France include electric devices,rubber, footwear, aquatic products, apparel, coffee, tea, wood, and cocoa.
From 2010 to 2015, France’s investment inIndonesia reached 730.08 million USD with a number of projects intelecommunications, transport, water, electricity, food processing, chemicals,and pharmaceuticals.-VNA
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Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Photo: EPA/VNA) 
