Both countries had agreed to strive for the realization of peace between Palestine and Israel through a two-state solution concept."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian and French delegations have signed five memoranda of understanding (MoU) during French President Francois Hollandes state visit to Indonesia.
"I laud the signing of these five MoUs comprising those in the sectors of sustainable urban development, tourism, defense, science and research, as well as research manpower exchanges," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated during a press conference with President Hollande at the Jakarta Presidential Palace, Wednesday.
He further noted that Indonesia had also proposed to forge cooperation in the maritime sector, specifically to fight Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing.
With regard to the creative economy sector, he added, cooperation in the fields of cinematography, fashion, and digital economy will continue to be carried out.
Apart from bilateral partnerships, the president also pointed out that Indonesia and France are working closely on various international issues, including the freedom of Palestine, global peacekeeping forces, and the fight against extremism and terrorism.
"Both countries had agreed to strive for the realization of peace between Palestine and Israel through a two-state solution concept," he emphasized.
President Jokowi further pointed out that Indonesia and France were among the several countries to have supplied the highest number of peacekeeping volunteers, and both nations had agreed to intensify cooperation, including by increasing the Indonesian troops ability in mastering the French language.
Indonesia and France also share the same vision of disseminating the values of tolerance and eradicating xenophobia as a bid to fight terrorism and extremism, he emphasized.
Meanwhile, President Hollande revealed that defense cooperation between Indonesia and France is being intensified, as both countries are striving to increase self-reliance in the sector through their human resources and weaponry.
In the tourism sector, he said, France views Indonesia as a vast archipelagic country, and he believes that the country needs to advance its transportation sector that will ultimately boost tourist arrivals.
Hollande also believes that as the largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia has demonstrated values, such as unity and tolerance.
France has drawn inspiration from Indonesia that adopts the principles of freedom and tolerance as a tool to eradicate terrorism and discrimination, he added.
(Reported by Joko Susilo/Uu.KR-ARC/INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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