REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEOUL -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) left Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday morning for Russia to attend the ASEAN-Russia Summit in Sochi.

"In Sochi, President Jokowi will hold a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi remarked here before departing to Russia with the president.

Marsudi said the bilateral meeting between the two presidents will be held on Wednesday in Sochi at 6 p.m. local time after Jokowi arrives.

The minister explained that issues related to bilateral trade and the efforts to encourage Russian investment in Indonesia will be discussed in the bilateral meeting.

During the ASEAN-Russia Summit on May 19-20 in Sochi, Jokowi and Putin, along with other heads of state/government of ASEAN member states will discuss several matters, such as the efforts to strengthen partnership cooperation, reduce the development gap, develop connectivity, and deliver concrete results to boost the people's welfare.

President Jokowi, in his address at the summit, will highlight the efforts to intensify economic ties between Russia and the ASEAN member nations, through energy connectivity; micro, small and medium scale businesses; and business-to-business ties.

Other issues to be covered by the head of state will include people-to-people contacts, counter-terrorism, Middle East, and immigration.

The summit is expected to produce three documents: the Sochi Declaration, Comprehensive Action Plan on Boosting Cooperation between ASEAN and Russia Federation (2016-2020), and a report of the ASEAN-Russia Eminent Persons Group containing strategic recommendations and the vision for strengthening the ASEAN and Russian cooperation partnership.

After attending the ASEAN-Russian Summit, President Jokowi will return to Indonesia and is expected to arrive in Jakarta on Friday.

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