President Holds Cabinet Meeting to Discuss European Visit
Jakarta, 10 Rajab 1437/16 April 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) presided over a limited cabinet meeting at the presidential office on Friday to discuss preparations for his visit to four European countries.
“The President will visit Germany, Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands from April 17 to 23,” Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung told the press on Friday following the cabinet meeting.
According to Pramono, the presidential visit will focus on economic cooperation, but the problems arising from recent political developments in the Middle East and terrorism will also be the subject of discussion.
“The current visit is not a preamble, so that the visit to the respective country relates to the business requested being done, meaning something done is not just a visit,” Pramono explained.
Meanwhile, Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong pointed out that the presidential visit to Europe will deal with many aspects of trade.
“The concrete results which will be achieved are a matter of negotiation on accomplishing the early stages of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) EU-Indonesia,” Thomas noted.
CEPA is a giant economic cooperation as it oversees 28 members of the European Union (EU), with a total population of 530 million and an economy of US$ 18.5 trillion per year, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) quoted Antara as reporting.
In addition, Vice Foreign Affairs Minister, AM Fachir said the essence of the Presidents visit to the four European countries is to strengthen the partnership with the EU and show Indonesia as an open and competitive country.
“In almost all countries, there are official meetings with heads of state/government, as well as business meetings,” Fachir.
Fachir further stated that during the visit, President Jokowi will also witness the signing of MoUs and conduct field visits.
The vice minister noted that the Presidents visit to the EU constitutes new history as it involves the meeting of three heads of namely, the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. (T/R07/R01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
