REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi and her Finnish counterpart Timo Soini held a bilateral meeting on Monday, during which both sides agreed to explore cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
"Indonesia and Finland agreed to explore cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and information technology. In terms of renewable energy, we will utilize the peatland areas," Marsudi stated here on Monday.
According to Marsudi, peatlands cover about one-third of Finland's territory. The peatlands are utilized by the state as a source of renewable energy through the use of technology.
"The country has utilized peatlands as a source of renewable energy through the use of technology. About five to seven percent of energy is sourced from peatlands," she pointed out.
Therefore, Indonesia is keen to explore cooperation in the field of renewable energy in order to benefit from Finland's technology.
"Indonesia has numerous peatlands in several provinces," she remarked.
Therefore, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Sudirman Said will hold a meeting with Soini on Tuesday (November 3).
Meanwhile, Soini expressed concern over land and forest fires in several provinces across Sumatra and Kalimantan islands.
"I would like to express deep sorrow over the haze crisis in Indonesia," Soini affirmed.
During the bilateral meeting, the two ministers also discussed several bilateral issues, especially cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and information technology.
"During the visit, the foreign minister of Finland is accompanied by 11 companies representing the sectors of clean and efficient energy, infrastructure, and port management, as well as information and communication technology," Soini stated.
In addition, both ministers have discussed the Schengen visa-free policy for Indonesians who hold official and diplomatic passports.
Following this, Finland has expressed support to RI's Schengen visa-free proposal.
In 2014, the value of trade between the two countries reached about US$780 million.
Meanwhile, the value of Finnish investments in Indonesia also increased significantly, from US$800 thousand in 2013 to US$3.6 million in 2014.
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