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Indonesia strengthens ties with Ukraine
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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko speaks during an interview in Kiev, Ukraine, on July 13, 2015. (AP/Efrem Lukatsky)
I
ndonesia and Ukraine agreed on Friday to strengthen their relationship, particularly in the economic, defense and diplomatic sectors.
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hosted a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Porshenko, who was flanked by Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Kutovyi as well as a group of Ukrainian businesspeople, at Merdeka Palace.
During a joint press conference, Jokowi stated that both countries also wanted to enhance trade and investment, such as improving crude palm oil (CPO) market access and expanding Indonesia's pharmaceutical products in the country.
"We also discussed the possibility of power plant turbine construction and cocoa plantations in Indonesia," Jokowi said.
After the bilateral meeting, the two leaders signed agreements on agriculture, defense, diplomatic training as well as a free-visa policy for diplomatic and service passport holders.
According to Trade Ministry data, both countries recorded a total trade value of US$526.9 million in 2015, with Indonesia's exports reaching $328.47 million. For Indonesia, Ukraine is its second largest trading partner in central-eastern Europe. Ukraine is also a substantial market for Indonesia for crude palm oil, coconut oil and paper. (dmr)
