REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia and Australia have agreed to enhance trade relations through the Indonesian Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and step up counterterrorism cooperation this year.
"The two leaders continue to encourage the conclusion of negotiations at the end of 2017," Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat quoted Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi as saying.
Marsudi was responding to a bilateral meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, the bureau noted in a press statement released on Friday evening.
Jokowi and Turnbull held the bilateral meeting before attending the G20 Summit in Hamburg on Friday afternoon.
The two countries have met seven times to discuss the implementation of the IA-CEPA intensively.
In addition, Jokowi and Turnbull discussed partnership between the two countries through the IA-CEPA. The partnership proves the closeness in relations between the two neighboring countries.
"God willing, if the CEPA can be concluded in 2017, the two countries will launch a strategic comprehensive partnership in 2018," the minister noted.
At the bilateral meeting, the two leaders also discussed the issue of terrorism that poses a global threat.
Australia praised Indonesia for its active role in fighting terrorism at the international level, she said.
To this end, Indonesia will encourage friendly countries in the sub-region, including New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam, to take active part in combating terrorism.
"At the sub-regional level, we will establish or step up counterterrorism cooperation later this month," she said.
During the meeting, Jokowi was also accompanied by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Chief of the Investment Coordinating Board Thomas Lembong, and Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Fauzi Bowo.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika