French and Indonesian officials agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, praising each other’s fight to maintain diversity in “turbulent times,” during Bastille Day celebrations in Jakarta on Friday.

French Ambassador to Indonesia Jean-Charles Berthonnet said Friday even though terrorism had turned the French national holiday into a day of mourning last year, the country was committed to making sure that diversity would prevail.

“Indonesia, too, has been and continues to be threatened for the same reasons,” Berthonnet continued.

He said Indonesia and France were strategic partners and each bore responsibilities within the regions to which they belonged, Europe and Asia, adding that both countries shared the same views on universal issues.

Every July 14 the French celebrate Bastille Day, a day that marks the storming of the Bastille military fortress and prison in Paris in 1789 during an uprising at the start of the French Revolution. The military fortress and prison was known as a symbol of tyranny under the French monarchy.

Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that both countries enjoyed extensive trade cooperation with the aviation industry as the leading sector.

“Just like [then] president [François] Hollande said when he visited Indonesia, we are committed to strongly enhance our cooperation,” he continued

Besides Budi, a number of government officials were also seen during the occasion, including Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan and Jakarta’s deputy governor-elect, Sandiaga Uno.

On March 29, Hollande made a visit to Indonesia to boost economic ties. In a joint statement made after a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, they said that they had talked about palm oil trade and the aircraft industry.

Jokowi said the two countries would work on a joint certification scheme similar to the domestic timber legality system (SVLK) under the European Union framework that would give local timber producers the ability to export their products to the region without having to apply for a license there.

Hollande, meanwhile, said France would also help Indonesia to develop its aircraft industry and infrastructure.

In 2016 the regional trade between the two countries was worth about US$2.23 billion, with France enjoying a surplus of $1.36 billion. Based on data released by the Trade Ministry, French-Indonesian trade has been declining since 2012 when it was worth $3 billion.

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