French President Hollande to Visit Indonesia on March 29

President Jokowi and President Francois Hollande (Left).

Jakarta, 24 Jumadil Akhir 1438/23 March 2017 (MINA) – French President Francois Hollande will embark on a state visit to Indonesia on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

“This will be a historical state visit since the last French president visited the country around 30 years ago,” Antara quoted Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir as saying during a press briefing here on Thursday.

The state visit is part of President Hollandes tour to three countries: Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

President Hollande will bring along some 40 French businessmen, several ministers, and members of the French parliament.

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Hollande and President Joko Widodo, better known by his nickname Jokowi, will discuss cooperation in the economy and several sectors as well as cooperation to promote the independence of the State of Palestine.

Two major themes

Director of Europe I of the Directorate General of America and Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dino R. Kusnadi remarked that the French presidents visit will improve bilateral relations and strategic partnership between Indonesia and France, which had been announced in June 2011.

Two major themes to be discussed to improve strategic partnership are maritime cooperation and the creative economy sector.

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The French presidents visit is expected to result in two joint declarations on maritime cooperation and creative economy, Kusnadi revealed.

President Hollande will be accompanied by French minister of defense and minister of digital affairs and innovation who will sign several memoranda of understanding in various sectors, such as sustainable urban development, research technology and higher education, defense, maritime and fishery, and tourism.

Within the context of defense cooperation, the two countries will improve the capabilities of the UN Peacekeeping forces as well as share experiences in counterterrorism.

France is also expected to invest in Indonesias creative economy sector in the areas of digital society and cinematography, Kusnadi noted.

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Statistics revealed that the trade value between Indonesia and France in 2016 had reached US$2.36 billion.

President Hollande is also scheduled to attend several events, beyond the agenda of the state visit, such as the launch of cooperation in creative economy at the Harris Vertu Hotel in Jakarta and a dialog on maritime affairs at the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)