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Jokowi to meet Putin ahead of ASEAN-Russia summit
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo explains Indonesia’s readiness to become a gateway to ASEAN in a luncheon meeting with representatives of media organizations from nine ASEAN member countries. (Courtesy of the Presidential Office/-)
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span style="line-height: 1.6em;">President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during an upcoming visit to Russia when several agreements will be signed to strengthen ties.
The meeting comes ahead of the May 19-20 ASEAN-Russia summit in the city of Sochi, Russia.
"This visit is important, remembering that Russia is an important, friendly country to Indonesia whether within a bilateral, regional or global framework," the Foreign Ministry's Central and Eastern Europe relations director, Witjaksono Adji, said Thursday during a media briefing.
The bilateral meeting aims to strengthen relations between the two countries during which a number of memorandums of understandings (MoU) on illegal fishing, archives and defense will be signed.
Areas of discussion will also include the exchange of information to maintain stability and peace, cooperation in the improvement of human resources and defense, as well as increasing business relations with Russia through a meeting with businesspeople during a forum, Witjaksono said.
Previously, Indonesia was reportedly planning to buy Sukhoi jets from Russia. However, Witjaksono refused to give details on the planned purchase.
"That discussion is ongoing and we cannot confirm if it will be brought up during the bilateral meeting," he added.
On May 18, the President will leave for Sochi from South Korea following a working visit to the East Asian country.
A number of ministers will accompany Jokowi to Russia, namely Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Darmin Nasution, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, State Secretary Pratikno, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti and Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Franky Sibarani.
The meeting will take place one day before the ASEAN-Russia summit. The gathering with leaders of Southeast Asian countries is expected to produce three documents, ASEAN dialogue partners and inter-regional cooperation director Derry Aman said.
First will be the Sochi Declaration containing details of cooperation between Russia and ASEAN, as well as its vision for the future. The second document is the Comprehensive Plan of Action 2016-2020, which will mention in detail the cooperation between Russia and the region.
Finally, the ASEAN-Russia Eminent Persons Group Report will contain a set of concrete recommendations by experts on cooperation between Russia and ASEAN.
"The main topics to be discussed include areas of the economy, politics, security, social and cultural, as well as Russia's role in supporting the ASEAN Economic Community," Derry said. (rin)
