Meet The French Minister Of Foreign Affairs And Defense, Minister Of Foreign Affairs Retno Discusses Strategic Cooperation To The Indo Pacific

Foreign Minister Retno with Minister of Defense Parly. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, held a series of talks on strategic cooperation to regional issues, together with the Minister of Defense and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the midst of a working visit following The Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Paris.

The first meeting was held by Foreign Minister Retno with French Defense Minister, Florence Parly on February 18. On this occasion, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in Europe and Asia, highlighting developments in Ukraine and Myanmar. As well as strategic cooperation in various fields, including the defense sector

"Repeating what the Indonesian President said when he received Minister Parly, defense cooperation is not only focused on purchasing defense equipment, but also capacity development, joint research, and production as well as investment, to strengthen the national strategic industry", said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted February 21.

On the same occasion, Foreign Minister Retno conveyed to Minister of Defense Parly that a 2+2 meeting (Minister of Foreign Affairs + Minister of Defense) of the two countries could be held soon.

Foreign Minister Retno with French Foreign Minister Le Darien. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Foreign Minister Retno discussed broader bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of health, energy transition, commodity trade barriers, Indo-Pacific, and exchange of views on developments in Ukraine and Myanmar.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two ministers agreed to continue to strengthen health cooperation, especially the COVID-19 vaccine. Indonesia really appreciates the vaccine support from France.

So far, Indonesia has received 6.3 million doses of vaccine supported by France. In a more strategic context, France has expressed support for Indonesia to become one of the hubs for developing mRNA vaccines in the Asian Region.

According to Foreign Minister Retno, the expansion of mRNA vaccine production is crucial in ensuring fairness and equity of vaccination in the world.

Foreign Minister Retno with Minister of Defense Parly. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

"In the long term, we want to increase the production capacity of mRNA vaccines. Expansion of production hubs and transfer of vaccine technology to developing countries can encourage equity and fairness in world vaccination", said Foreign Minister Retno.

Regarding energy transition cooperation, Indonesia emphasized the importance of affordable technology transfer and investment, so that all countries can make an energy transition without compromising development and fulfilling the SDGs. The Indonesian Foreign Minister also invited France to increase investment in Indonesia, especially in the energy transition sector. This is in line with the agreement between the two countries as stated in the Letter of Intent on Cooperation to Accelerate Energy Transition in Indonesia.

Regarding trade cooperation, the Indonesian Foreign Minister encouraged that during the French Presidency in the European Union, significant progress could be made in the I-EU CEPA negotiations, and there would be no discrimination against palm oil, including in the draft new EU regulation, related to deforestation-free products.

Foreign Minister Retno with French Foreign Minister Le Drian. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

And, regarding the Indo Pacific issue, Foreign Minister Retno said at the ASEAN Retreat, ASEAN had supported Indonesia's proposal regarding the concept paper on Mainstreaming Four Priority Areas of the ASEAN Outlook on Indo Pacific.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno invited France to participate in concrete cooperation in the maritime sector, SDGs, trade, and investment.

"I hope that France will be one of the first countries to build cooperation with ASEAN in the maritime sector, SDGs, trade, and investment", Foreign Minister Retno hoped.

Regarding regional issues, Foreign Minister Retno said that Indonesia continues to push for the implementation of the 5-point consensus (5 PCs), related to the crisis in Myanmar, which has yet to make significant progress. As for the development of the Ukraine crisis, Indonesia hopes that all parties will provide an opportunity for negotiations and diplomacy to work.

For information, the Indonesian Foreign Minister was in Paris to attend The Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum at the invitation of the French Foreign Minister. In addition to attending The Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum, the Foreign Minister will also chair the Bali Process Steering Committee Ministerial Meeting, in preparation for the Bali Process meeting which will be held at the end of this year in Bali, as well as celebrating 20 years since its formation.