REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BERLIN -- President Joko Widodo and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed a range of issues, from economic cooperation and vocational education centers to terrorism, in a meeting here on Monday.

"Besides economic matters, (we also discussed) vocational education and, therefore, he (Jokowi and entourage) visited Siemens," Merkel said at a joint press conference with President Jokowi after a meetings at her office.

Merkel said there had been economic cooperation between Germany and Indonesia, including in maritime components, health sector and also transportation.

"There is still an opportunity in the industrial field and we are going to increase initiatives in this respect," she said.

Merkel said Indonesia has expressed an interest in strengthening its trade agreement with the European Union and Germany is supporting it, so that negotiations could be started soon.

The German chancellor said she had also discussed certain issues related to ASEAN, Papua and Aceh. She praised Indonesia, which, as the world's biggest Muslim country, has successfully remained tolerant.

"Indonesia as the biggest Muslim country has been able to maintain a system in such a way that no conflict has happened and it has also overcome challenges posed by the threat of terrorism through social and cultural support," she said.

President Jokowi, meanwhile, said Germany is Indonesia's number one trade partner and seventh biggest investor.

"Indonesia wishes for German assistance in the field of vocational education, especially in the fields of industry, electricity, textile and maritime," he said.

Jokowi said he has also exchanged views on how to deal with terrorism through both, hard and soft power approaches.

"The combination of these, I believe, will be better and act in a more comprehensive manner," he said.

Asked about radicalism in Indonesia, President Jokowi said 85 percent of Indonesia's 95 percent Moslem population is moderate and tolerant.

"But if there are any radicals among them, the approach will be such that they would not harm the country and its people. So, Indonesia applies both hard and soft power against radicals. That is what we are doing," he said.

Chancellor Merkel admitted that Indonesia, with its 250 million population, has a big challenge and admired the country's present development.

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