The president and entourage aboard presidential plane Indonesia-1 left Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in East Jakarta for Berlin, Germany, at 08.30 a.m. local time.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla, accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya and State Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Yuddy Chrisnadi bade farewell to the president and entourage at the airport.
Member of the presidential communication team Ary Dipayana said the president will pay a working visit to Germany, Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands at the invitation of leaders of the European countries.
The visit is aimed at forging cooperation with European Union (EU), particularly in the economic field as well as at strengthening tolerance and building global peace.
Ary said EU is one of Indonesias strategic traditional partners in facing new global challenges.
During the visit, Indonesia will emphasize the importance of cooperation in trade, investment, maritime affairs and water management. EU is one of Indonesias main partners with regard to trade and investment, he said.
Trade between Indonesia and EU reached US$26.14 billion last year, making the 27-nation bloc Indonesias fourth biggest trade partner.
EU was also the third biggest foreign investor in Indonesia with a value of US$2.26 billion in 2015.
During the visit, President Jokowi will also call on European leaders to disseminate tolerance and peace norms amidst the rampant threat of extremism and terrorism in all parts of the world.
As the president of the worlds predominantly Muslim country, Jokowi will use the working visit to disseminate tolerance and peace norms, along with the European leaders through various new digital networks and social media, Ary said.
All the world leaders must cooperate under the spirit of partnership and togetherness to find the best possible solution to new challenges as well as to create humanity and justice.
The president expressed the hope the four-European nation visit will bring about concrete benefit to the entire peoples of Indonesia and EU.
While in Europe, President Jokowi will meet with the German chancellor, the British prime minister and the Dutch prime minister. He will also meet with the president of the European Parliament, the president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
