"I think there is still a lack of connectivity between Indonesia and Africa, including air connectivity. Hence, the agreement to operate direct flights from Jakarta to Addis Ababa is a new breakthrough," Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi noted after a meeting with the Ethiopian Airlines CEO in the company of representatives from Garuda Indonesia in Bali on Wednesday.
The agreement to procure the Jakarta-Addis Ababa flight route was reached between Ethiopian Airlines and Garuda Indonesia.
Marsudi highlighted the need for increased connectivity between Indonesia and African countries to support the economic activities of both countries.
"When we want to improve economic ties with Africa, connectivity is important and crucial to supporting economic cooperation, especially in the field of trade," she stated.
The minister noted that the procurement of the Jakarta-Addis Ababa flight route is a breakthrough and an initial step to encouraging increased connectivity between Indonesia and African countries.
"We want to also make Addis Ababa a center for strengthening connectivity between Indonesia and other African regions, especially in the sub-Sahara African area," she noted.
In addition, Minister Marsudi noted that the governments of several African countries had provided information on the possibility of making Addis Ababa a center for visa services for African countries.
"Hence, when flights are operated between Jakarta and Addis Ababa, visas for other African countries that do not have a representative office in Indonesia can also be obtained in Addis Ababa. However, this only comes under the African government`s domain," she added.
Reported by Yuni Arisandy
(T.KR-TQA/INE)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/F001)
Reporter: SYSTEM
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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