Meeting Danish Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister Retno Discusses Green Energy Cooperation To Counter Terrorism

Foreign Minister Retno Marsud's meeting with Denmar Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, discussed several cooperation agendas in the fields of green energy, the economy to counter terrorism while receiving a working visit from Danish Foreign Minister, Jeppe Kofod.

During his first visit to Indonesia, Foreign Minister Kofod, who was accompanied by 13 business delegates, together with Foreign Minister Retno signed two cooperation agreements. First, the Indonesia-Denmark Action Plan: A Sustainable Strategic Partnership for the Future for the period 2021-2024 (PoA). Second, the MoU on Infrastructure Project Financing.

"Indonesia and Denmark share a strategic partnership that continues to develop based on mutual respect and benefit. We believe that the updated PoA will allow us to produce more concrete collaborations between the two countries", said Foreign Minister Retno in a virtual press statement on November 22.

Regarding the economic sector, Foreign Minister Retno said the two foreign ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation to accelerate economic recovery. Foreign Minister Retno said Denmark is Indonesia's second-largest partner in the Nordic area of trade, investment and tourism.

Foreign Minister Kofod and Foreign Minister Retno showed the signed cooperation documents. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

She explained that before the pandemic, Indonesia's palm oil trade with Denmark was on a positive trend, from initially valued at US$39.2 million in 2015 to US$73.5 million in 2019.

"We agreed to continue to support the positive contribution of sustainable palm oil to economic recovery. I appreciate Denmark for its support in eliminating discriminatory treatment of Indonesian agricultural products, especially palm oil", said Foreign Minister Retno.

"To further encourage post-pandemic economic recovery, I would really appreciate Denmark's support for the rapid finalization of the Indonesia-EU CEPA", she continued.

Another thing that was also discussed by the two foreign ministers was capacity building for budding entrepreneurs, including the use of ICT by start-ups. Regarding investment, Foreign Minister Retno hoped that the signing of the MoU on Infrastructure Project Financing could be the basis for increasing financial and investment cooperation, particularly in the fields of ICT, energy, transportation and logistics, and maritime and defense.

Foreign Minister Kofod and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi when delivering a virtual press statement. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

"Indonesia and Denmark also share the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact. This is well reflected in the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) in promoting sustainable green growth. Sustainable growth is no longer an option. It is a must. Therefore "I am very happy to see our long-standing partnership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions", she said.

Foreign Minister Retno conveyed that her party welcomed Denmark's contribution, supported by the World Bank, for the conservation and rehabilitation of 600,000 hectares of mangrove land through a combination of loans and grants of up to DKK 415 million or around IDR 62.9 million. Also, Denmark's support for the energy transition in Indonesia, through the Sustainable Island Initiative program.

An important point discussed by the two foreign ministers was dealing with terrorism, where since 2004 Denmark has pledged their contribution to support the presence of the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement and Cooperation (JCLEC), which aims to prevent and fight terrorism and violent extremism through various programs to increase collaborative capacity.

"And I welcome Denmark's continued support from JCLEC, through the signing of the Peace and Stabilization Engagement Document. A contribution of USD 763,000 will be given to JCLEC for the period 2021-2023", concluded Foreign Minister Retno.