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Jokowi wants closer economic, defense ties with Russia
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has proposed stronger cooperation in economic and defense matters in a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his working visit to Russia.
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President Joko Widodo talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin at Bucherov Rucey, the residence of the Russian president in Sochi, Russia, on May 18. (Courtesy of/Presidential Secretariat)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has proposed stronger bilateral cooperation in economic and defense matters in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his working visit to Russia.
In the meeting held at Bucherov Rucey, the residence of President Putin in Sochi, Jokowi pointed out that trade between Indonesia and Russia was down by 25 percent after falling from US$2.64 billion in 2014 to $1.98 in 2015 amid the global slowdown.
Therefore, the President suggested enhancing bilateral trade by eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers on fisheries and agricultural products, such as palm oil. He also proposed wider market access and increased ties between businesses from the two countries.
"I also noticed a decrease in the value of Russian investment in Indonesia," Jokowi said to Putin, as quoted by his PR team on Wednesday local time.
Russia has in the past stated its intention to invest in a railway project in East Kalimantan. Jokowi expressed his expectation that the investment be expanded to other areas, such as the construction of aluminum smelters in West Kalimantan, as well as to other energy and infrastructure projects.
The President welcomed Russia's interest in investing in the maritime sector. Such cooperation, he added, could take place in the form of developing marine and fisheries resources and infrastructure, including ports.
Regarding security, the two countries agreed to intensify the exchange of intelligence data to combat terrorism.
President Jokowi stressed that cooperation in the defense sector should not relate only to weaponry procurement but also to technology transfer, joint production, education, training and an exchange of experts.
He said he also expected the realization of a center for defense equipment maintenance and repair in Indonesia. (ags)
