President Jokowi Holds Bilateral Meeting with Czech PM Petr Fiala

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala at the Steigenberger Wiltcher's Hotel as part of the agenda for his working visit in Brussels, Belgium.

During the meeting, President Jokowi expressed his gratitude for the Czech PM's sympathy for the earthquake in Cianjur and congratulated the Czech Presidency on the Council of the European Union (EU) this year.

"Thank you, Your Excellency's condolences for the earthquake tragedy in Cianjur, and congratulations on the Czech Presidency in the European Union Council, which coincides with the momentum of the 45th anniversary of the ASEAN-EU partnership", the President said in his introduction in Brussels as reported by ANTARA on Wednesday, December 14.

President Jokowi also addressed several issues, namely economic, defense, and strategic industrial cooperation as well as Indo-Pacific cooperation.

"Several steps that I think can be encouraged to increase trade include accelerating the completion of the Indonesia-EU CEPA. I also hope that the Czech investment plan can be realized soon", President Jokowi added.

Meanwhile, in the field of defense and strategic industry, President Jokowi appreciated Czech participation in Indo-Defense 2022.

"Strategic defense and industry cooperation needs to be increased through, among others, joint production, technology transfer, and manufacturing investment", said the President.

Finally, President Jokowi invited the Czechs to attend the "Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum" which will be held in Indonesia in 2023 to build an inclusive architecture so that stability, peace, and prosperity can be maintained.

Furthermore, Czech PM Petr Fiala in his introductory remarks congratulated Indonesia on the G20 presidency, as well as congratulated ASEAN on next year's chairmanship.