REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Affairs Vice Minister A.M. Fachir and Mongolian State Secretary/Acting Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Damba Gankhuyag agreed to intensify multi-sectoral bilateral cooperation during Indonesia-Mongolia first Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting here, Wednesday.
The first meeting of the JCBC between Indonesia and Mongolia, co-chaired by the two vice ministers, is one of the key mechanisms to explore all opportunities and to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries, the ministry noted in a statement on Thursday.
The JCBC meeting discussed bilateral issues, including six priority areas: advancement of democracy, human rights, good governance, and the rule of law; defense and security; economy and trade; agriculture and mining; social and culture; as well as cooperation in regional and global forums.
Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Mongolia have been established since December 21, 1956, and have developed well so far.
The Indonesian president's state visit to Mongolia in September 2012 has opened a new chapter in history for the bilateral relations between both nations.
Mongolia is a partner of Indonesia in promoting democracy and economy.
The first JCBC meeting between Indonesia and Mongolia has shaped various agreements in all sectors. In the areas of politics, defense, and security, both countries have agreed to increase the number of exchange visits between officials and intensify cooperation in eliminating terrorism, human trafficking, and transnational organized crimes.
In the fields of trade and economy, both countries have decided to strengthen economic cooperation through the promotion of trade and investment. Bilateral trade has steadily increased in the last three years from US$6.59 million in 2012, US$20.78 million in 2013, to US$23.6 million in 2014.
In the agriculture sector, both countries have agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the veterinary and quarantine fields as well as intensify the promotion of market access for agricultural commodities and increase cooperation in the development of capacity building programs.
In the social and cultural sectors, both countries have decided to intensify tourism promotion.
Meanwhile, to increase people-to-people contact, Indonesia has sought the active participation of Mongolian youth to study in Indonesia by granting scholarships in the fields of arts and culture.
Education and capacity building among the youth is believed to be the key to promoting friendship and mutual understanding between the people of both countries.
The second meeting of the JCBC between Indonesia and Mongolia will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2017, according to the statement.
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