REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The visit of Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, was a historic visit to bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Italy.
"It was the first visit by a Head of State of Italy to Indonesia within 66 years," said President Joko Widodo in a press statement, the Presidential Palace, Monday (9/11).
The President conveyed his glad, because in this visit there were 30 business delegation from Italy. They would sign a total contract worth 1.055 billion US dollars.
"The contract consists of a new cooperation especially in the fields of logistics, energy, and infrastructure, as well as expansion in automotive field," added the President.
In the meeting, they discussed four main issues, namely improvement of cooperation in leather industry, fashion and furniture, then increase cooperation in tourism, increased cooperation in energy, including the use of palm oil as a source of renewable energy.
"The last is improvement of cooperation in interfaith dialogue," he explained.
Furthermore, the President explained that the relationship between Indonesia and Italy from year to year showed improvement.
"The trade in 2014 reached 4.01 billion US dollars. The Italian investment to Indonesia reached 63.02 million US dollars and Italian tourists to Indonesia reached 68 thousand people," he said..
In addition to bilateral issues, the two heads of state also discussed an important issue being faced by Europe , namely the issue of migration.
"I am delighted at this meeting we have signed two cooperation documents in visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports and official passports, and cooperation in tourism," Jokowi continued.
Meanwhile, President Mattarella expressed his appreciation to Indonesia for its role in the Southeast Asian and the international community in maintaining security and stability. He also appreciated the urge the European Union to enhance cooperation with ASEAN.
"And we are trying to improve cooperation between the EU and ASEAN," said President Mattarella.
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