This working visit to Jordan is the first for Minister Retno as part of Indonesia`s efforts to increase cooperation with Middle East countries.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - During a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh in Amman, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi agreed to constantly seek opportunities to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
Through a written statement received by ANTARA here on Monday, Retno underlined the strong relations shared between Indonesia and Jordan to open an array of opportunities to be explored in various fields of cooperation.
This working visit to Jordan is the first for Minister Retno as part of Indonesias efforts to increase cooperation with Middle East countries.
During a meeting with Jordanian Minister Judeh, Minister Retno highlighted the improving relations, particularly in the areas of economic and people-to-people cooperation.
In terms of economic cooperation, Retno stressed the importance to encourage the diversification of trade products and investment between Indonesia and Jordan over the years.
"Jordan can utilize Indonesian strategic industrial products as well as the open investment opportunities to increase economic relations between the two countries," she emphasized.
Meanwhile, Jordan has been one of Indonesias mineral producers, especially for phosphate, which is widely used to produce fertilizers.
In an effort to explore other opportunities and enhance economic cooperation, the Indonesian government plans to appoint an Honorary Consul in Al-Aqaba, Jordan.
In addition to identifying new opportunities in several areas of cooperation, both the Indonesian and Jordanian foreign ministers agreed to strengthen a mechanism of the Indonesia-Jordan Joint Commission Meeting (JCM).
The joint meeting would not only serve as a platform to discuss economic and trade cooperation but also for other significant issues such as education, tourism, health, and inter-religious dialog.
On the occasion, Minister Retno also expressed her gratitude to Jordan for its participation and cooperation in the 5th OIC Extraordinary Summit held in Jakarta to encourage the recognition of Palestinian independence.
"Indonesia lauds the efforts and role of the Jordanian government in supporting the joint struggle of Islamic countries to realize the independence of Palestine," she affirmed.
The bilateral meeting between the Indonesian and Jordanian foreign ministers has resulted in the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on passport-free visas for diplomatic and service passport holders as well as on diplomatic educational cooperation.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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