In addition to meeting with ministers and CEOs from leading Russian companies, the senior minister is also slated to be awarded the Medal for Contribution to International Cooperation from the Russian government, as well as to join celebrations to commemorate this year’s Russia Day on June 12.

On Monday, the first day of his working visit, Airlangga held a special meeting with Andrey Slepnev, Trade Minister of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).

The two ministers discussed various issues related to strategic cooperation in economy and trade, including finalizing the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (Indonesia-EAEU FTA). They also discussed solutions to remove trade barriers and issues related to payment schemes in bilateral trade between Indonesia and the EAEU.

“Indonesia encourages accelerating [...] the Indonesia-EAEU FTA negotiations, which is expected to be completed this year, so it can benefit businesses in expanding their operations to Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” Airlangga said.

He also emphasized Indonesia’s continuing efforts to boost its palm oil exports, which met health and sustainability standards, to the five member countries of the EAEU.

In response, Slepnev also expressed a similar hope for a rapid conclusion to negotiations on the Indonesia-EAEU FTA.

“In this regard, the EEC also hopes that the negotiation process can be completed in July 2024 in Indonesia. The EEC believes that a free trade agreement with Indonesia will further strengthen the economic cooperation foundation between Indonesia and the five EAEU member countries,” he said.

As regards Indonesian palm oil exports, Slepnev underlined that the EAEU imposed no barriers.

“I can assure you that the EAEU will not take steps like the European Union, which applies discriminatory policies to Indonesian palm oil commodities. The EAEU fully supports cooperation between the two countries, especially in the agricultural sector, including fertilizers,” the trade minister emphasized.

After his meeting with the EEC trade minister, Airlangga attended an informal meeting with State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin at the Russian parliament. Lawmakers from both countries also attended this meeting to discuss enhanced bilateral cooperation between the legislatures of Indonesia and Russia.

In the afternoon, Airlangga met with leaders of several prominent Russian companies including Kiril Komarov, First Deputy CEO for Corporate Development and International Business at JSC Rosatom, a subsidiary of the State Atomiс Energy Corporation (Rosatom). In their meeting, Airlangga and Komarov discussed plans for cooperation in developing nuclear energy for electricity and non-electricity purposes, such as health and agriculture.

“Rosatom has extensive experience in establishing comprehensive and good cooperation with Indonesia. Rosatom will prepare various aspects, not only on the construction side but also detailed analysis from the socioeconomic perspective,” said Komarov.

In his response, Airlangga said Indonesia was currently focusing on several issues in relation to clean energy as part of Indonesia’s ongoing energy transition.

“Nuclear energy can be an option for providing electricity to the people without polluting the environment. Russia is also invited to cooperate in developing new and renewable energy in Indonesia. This is a manifestation of the Indonesian government's commitment to realizing the energy transition, a process that began a few years ago,” he said.

To conclude his agenda on the first day, Airlangga met with Sergey Alexandrovsky, CEO of Aeroflot Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC), during which Alexandrovsky reiterated the state-owned airline’s desire to revive direct flights between Moscow and Bali.

Noting that direct flights could help strengthen Indonesia-Russia ties, Airlangga said: “The existence of direct flights from cities in Indonesia and Russia will certainly facilitate the efforts of both countries to increase tourist visits and help the logistic flow of exports and imports. This will clearly help strengthen the economies of both Indonesia and Russia.”

The senior minister was accompanied by Indonesian Ambassador to Moscow Jose Tavares and a delegation from his office that included Secretary Susiwijono Moegiarso and members of his Expert Team, as well as the leaders of relevant House of Representatives Commissions and special staffers from the State Secretariat.

This article was published in collaboration with Coordinating Ministry for  Economic Affairs Republic of Indonesia