The president`s visit is in response to the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel."
Berlin (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is slated to meet German President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel here, on Monday.

The head of state had a very tight schedule on Monday as he would have seven programs including three concerning business meetings, and two one-on-one meetings, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said here, on Sunday evening.

Retno also said, President Jokowi is scheduled to make a visit to Siemens in Berlin as part of the efforts to develop Indonesia`s vocational education system.

"Siemens has successfully developed a vocational education system. We are focusing on improving vocational education to meet the needs of the current market," Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi stated here on Sunday night.

Marsudi noted that education in Germany was offered by two types of institutions: universities and vocational schools.

"In Indonesia, labor skills should be developed to face challenges in the implementation of the ASEAN economic community," the minister remarked.

The minister said the president will attend three business meetings and an Indonesian community forum.

"The president`s visit is in response to the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel," the minister stated.

The president`s visit is expected to promote trade and investment.

Vocational education is needed to capitalize on its demographic bonus as 60 percent of Indonesia`s population was below 30 years of age.

Ambassador to Germany Fauzi Bowo noted that Germany had also enforced the nine-year compulsory education program.

"Students will have the opportunity to work or study at universities," Bowo added.

The visit to Germany is at the invitation of the German Chancellor who conveyed it on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in 2015.

Germany is Indonesias number one trade partner in Europe, and number seven for investment.

President Jokowi left for Europe on Sunday morning to pay a five-day state visit taking him to Germany, Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The visit is aimed at forging cooperation with the European Union (EU), particularly in the economic field as well as at strengthening tolerance and building global peace.
(Uu.F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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