RI Strengthens Economic Cooperation With 3 Small Islands Countries

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi spoke with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Jeremiah Manele Islands (left)/ANTARA PHOTO/Media Center of the AIS Forum 2023/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/pras Summit

NUSA Dua - Indonesia agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, each with Cabo Verde, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea.

In a bilateral meeting with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Cabo Verde Miryan Viera, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi welcomed Viera's proposal that the two countries cooperate in the blue economy, infrastructure and tourism sectors. The three sectors are said to be priority sectors for Jobo Verde.

Retno said that he would bring together Foreign Minister Viera with the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia to discuss further opportunities for cooperation in the tourism sector.

The two foreign ministers also agreed to immediately discuss the Bilateral Consultation Agreement and Visa Free Agreement for Diplomatic Passport Holders and Services between the two countries.

During the meeting, Retno also asked for Cabo Verde's support to encourage the establishment of a Predifferential Trade Agreement between Indonesia and the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS).

"With a population of 280 million people, Indonesia will become a potential trading partner for ECOWAS, as well as a hub to enter the ASEAN market," said Retno.

Indonesia has expressed its desire to form a trade agreement with ECOWAS since 2017.

Strengthening cooperation in the blue economy is also a topic of discussion between the Indonesian Foreign Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Jeremia Islands, who met in Bali on the sidelines of the AIS Forum meeting.

Regarding development cooperation, said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Manele specifically expressed his appreciation for good cooperation with Indonesia in various capacity building programs, including in the fields of sports, health and education.

The programs are said to be Manele in accordance with the Solomon Islands development priorities.

Solomon Islands also invited Indonesia to increase police cooperation, especially in dealing with transnational crimes.

Regarding cooperation in the Pacific, Foreign Minister Retno encourages increased cooperation within the framework of the Melanesia State Cooperation Group (MSG) and the Pacific Archipelago State Forum (PIF) to face challenges in the region. In addition to the two ministers, Bali Foreign Minister Retno had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of National Events and Assistant Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Papua New Guinea Justin Tkatchenko, whom he met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in September.

The two ministers welcomed the close bilateral relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. This close relationship was, among other things, marked by the increase in interaction between high-ranking officials of the two countries - including President Joko Widodo's visit to Port Moresby and PM James Marape to Jakarta this year. Foreign Minister Retno and Foreign MinisterTkatchenko also agreed to continue to strengthen economic cooperation, including in border areas.