... the two countries were the force behind the birth of the Asia-Africa Conference."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has met with Sri Lankas president Maithripala Sirisena to discuss the sale of train carriages to that country.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of his visit to Japan to attend the Outreach G-7 Summit at Orion A Room, Hotel Kanko, Nagoya, on Thursday.
The bilateral meeting focused on Indonesias readiness to support economic development in Sri Lanka, including cooperation to supply train carriages for passengers as well as cargo, and also cooperation in the context of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
At the meeting, President Sirisena underlined the importance of the two countries increasing economic cooperation. He also expressed the hope that Garuda Indonesia will start flying to Colombo again.
Regarding supply of train carriages for passengers and cargo to Sri Lanka, President Jokowi observed that Indonesia is ready to discuss the mode of payment through Exim Bank.
On IORA cooperation, he hoped Sri Lanka will lend all support possible during Indonesias chairmanship.
He stated that Indonesia, along with IORA member countries, is currently discussing the concept of IORA Concord.
President Sirisena responded that Sri Lanka supports Indonesias chairmanship of the IORA, while emphasizing the importance of Indian Ocean region remaining peaceful.
Regarding the demand for the opening of Garuda flight service to Colombo, President Jokowi assured that he would ask Garuda to discuss it.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Joko Widodo congratulated Sri Lanka for its success in holding the general election last year to elect a new president and a new prime minister and conduct constitutional reform.
This proves that democracy in Sri Lanka was progressing well, he added.
After the meeting, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi underlined that ties between Sri Lanka and Indonesia are very strong.
"If we look back, (we will know) that the two countries were the force behind the birth of the Asia-Africa Conference," she reminded.
The two countries have a lot of similarities, she added.
During the meeting President Joko Widodo was flanked by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister and state secretary Pratikno, Minister of National Development Planning and head of National Development Planning Board Sofyan Djalil and ambassador to Japan Yusron Ihza Mahendra.
(Reporting by Hanni Sofia Soepardi/Uu.H-YH/INE/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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