REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi and her counterpart from New Zealand, Murray McCully, agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

The agreement was reached at the 7th Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) of Indonesia and New Zealand on Tuesday (March 3) in Auckland, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received here on Wednesday (4/3).

Both foreign affairs ministers stressed that there are many opportunities for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and livestock. So the two sides agreed to strengthen ties over tropical fruit exports from Indonesia to New Zealand and over the rearing of cattle from New Zealand in Indonesia.

"Cooperation in agriculture and livestock will benefit farmers, ranchers and consumers in Indonesia," Marsudi said.

During the bilateral meeting, various measures to improve cooperation in the fields of intercommunity relations and connectivity were also discussed.

Moreover, both ministers agreed to provide greater opportunities to Indonesian workers to work in New Zealand.

In addition, closer collaboration between the media, parliament, and stakeholders in various other fields will also be encouraged through dialogues and exchange of visits.

The development of cooperation that has been in place between the two countries, as well as new opportunities in bilateral relations, such as in the areas of politics, security and development, were also deliberated over at the meeting.

In the fields of politics and security, the two sides agreed to increase cooperation in the defense sector through education and training exchange programs.

Furthermore, the ministers agreed to boost ties between the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and similar institutions in New Zealand to combat corruption.

With regard to cooperation in efforts towards development, the Indonesian foreign affairs minister appreciated the collaboration with New Zealand in the "Food Safety Sign Village" program to raise food security in eastern Indonesia.

In cultural and educational cooperation, the ministers agreed to improve relations between universities, especially with regard to research in the sectors of geothermal energy, maritime affairs and fisheries.

On the occasion, Marsudi welcomed Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key, who will visit Indonesia in 2015.

The minister also welcomed the celebration of ASEAN-New Zealand relations, in which Indonesia is the coordinator of the ASEAN-New Zealand dialogue this year.

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