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Dutch foreign minister to visit Indonesia
Leaving behind the historical wounds that have strained relations for decades, Indonesia and the Netherlands are set to boost bilateral cooperation with the wrapping up of a two-year discussion on the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CPA)
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Leaving behind the historical wounds that have strained relations for decades, Indonesia and the Netherlands are set to boost bilateral cooperation with the wrapping up of a two-year discussion on the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CPA).
Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen and his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda are scheduled to sign off Wednesday on the final draft of the CPA, during Verhagen's four-day visit to Jakarta from Jan. 13 to 16, the Foreign Ministry's Director General for America and Europe Retno L.P. Marsudi said Monday.
The agreement was initiated in 2006, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the Netherlands and Indonesia in the fields of security - especially in the fight against terrorismeconomics, the environment and culture.
"We are still negotiating a few lines in the agreement. But we have agreed (on the substance)," Retno said, adding she hoped that leaders of both countries would soon be able sign the accord.
The two foreign ministers will also hold talks on crucial domestic, bilateral and regional issues, including climate change and the flare-up of the Middle East crisis.
"I think the conflict in Gaza will be discussed at the meeting. After all, this is a ministerial-level meeting. There will be talks about what can be expected from Indonesia and the Netherlands to help settle the Israel-Palestine conflict," Retno said.
Verhagen will arrive in Jakarta on Tuesday. He will meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono and Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalata, before departing for Yogyakarta on Thursday.
There, the Dutch minister will visit two elementary schools in Kalikebo, Klaten, Central Java, which the Dutch government and the Foreign Ministry jointly restored after a 2006 earthquake destroyed most of the buildings there. Both ministers will donate computers and books to the schools during the visit.
