Encouraging Economic And Investment Cooperation, Airlangga Meets Ministers And CEOs Of Russian Companies

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Coordinating Ministry for the Economy)

JAKARTA - Along with various steps to increase economic cooperation with several countries and efforts to encourage exports to maintain the national trade balance surplus, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto paid a working visit and various bilateral meetings in Moscow, the Russian Federation.

In addition to holding meetings with several ministers and CEOs of several leading companies in Russia, Airlangga is also scheduled to receive Medal for Contribution to International Cooperation from the Government of the Russian Federation, as well as commemorating the Russian Federation's Anniversary which falls on June 12 every year.

Starting the first day of a series of working visits, Airlangga held a special meeting with the Minister of Trade Eurationan Economic Commission (EEC) Andrey Sleptnev.

On this occasion, the two Ministers discussed various issues of strategic cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, including accelerating the completion of Indonesia-Erepurian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (Indonesia-EAEU FTA) to discussing solutions to eliminate trade barriers between the two parties and issues related to payment schemes in trade between the two countries.

"Indonesia is pushing for the acceleration of the completion of the Indonesia-EAEU FTA Negotiation which is expected to be completed this year, so that it can be useful for business actors to develop their business to Eastern Europe and Central Asia," said Airlangga in his statement, Wednesday, June 12.

Airlagga emphasized that Indonesia also continues to encourage an increase in the export value of palm oil to EAEU member countries (Ereurarian Economic Union).

As is known, Indonesian palm oil has met health and sustainability standards.

Responding to this, Minister Sleptnev also expressed similar hopes for the completion of the negotiation process.

"In this case, the EEC (The Eurasian Economic Commission) also hopes that the negotiation process can be completed in July 2024 in Indonesia later," he said.

Sleptnev conveyed that the EEC believes that the free trade agreement with Indonesia will help strengthen the foundation of economic cooperation between Indonesia and 5 (five) member states of the EAEU.

Regarding Indonesia's concern regarding palm oil, Minister Sleptnev said that EAEU did not apply any obstacles.

"I can say that EAEU will not take steps like the European Union which applies discriminatory policies to commodity oil palm from Indonesia," he said.

Sleptnev conveyed that the EAEU fully supports the cooperation of the two countries, especially in the agricultural sector, including fertilizers.

After a meeting with the Minister of Trade of Sleptnev, Airlangga held an informal meeting with the Chairman of the Russian Parliament/State Duma, YM Vyacheslav Volodin at the State Duma Building.

The meeting was also attended by lawmakers of the two countries discussing increasing cooperation between Indonesian and Russian parliaments.

In addition, Airlangga also received several leaders of Russia's leading companies, namely with JSC Company Rosatom represented by First Deputy CEO for Corporate Development and International Business Kiril Komarov.

At the meeting, the two parties held discussions regarding plans to cooperate in the development of nuclear energy for electricity and for non-energy purposes such as health and agriculture.

In addition, Airlangga held a meeting with the CEO of Aeroflot's Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC), Russian state aviation company Sergey Alexandrovsky.

At the meeting, Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC) Aeroflot reiterated the desire of Aeroflot to revitalize the direct flight path between Moscow-Bali PP.