Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia received the visit of the Polish minister of foreign affairs after 21 years that marked the keenness of both countries to strengthen bilateral relations.

"Indonesia is also the first country visited by Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz during his tour of Asia," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated here on Monday.

At the meeting, the two foreign ministers discussed several issues ranging from economics, education, and international affairs.

Foreign Minister Marsudi remarked that Poland was an important partner of Indonesia in Central Europe, with growing economic cooperation.

During the January-August 2018 period, the value of bilateral trade increased 24.8 percent as compared to the same period last year.

Polish investment in Indonesia reached US$20 million in 2017, a 10-fold increase compared to $1.6 million in 2016.

The number of Polish tourists visiting Indonesia has also doubled in the past three years, reaching 30 thousand visitors in 2017.

"The numbers are quite good, but we still have the opportunity to develop cooperation," Foreign Minister Marsudi remarked.

To this end, the two foreign ministers discussed various efforts to strengthen economic cooperation by intensifying business interactions and expanding access to superior products of each country.

Furthermore, the two countries agreed to work together to finalize the negotiations on the Indonesia-EU CEPA Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as well as realize Warsaw-Denpasar direct flights to boost the tourism sector.

Poland is also involved in a 100-megawatt power plant project in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and is expected to facilitate Indonesia`s efforts to promote sustainable palm oil products with the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification.

Apart from the economy, the two foreign ministers also shared their views on the importance of cooperation in the field of education to improve relations between Indonesian and Polish communities.

"Minister Czaputowicz and I also discussed regional and global issues that are of common concern. I thank Poland for supporting Indonesia as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council," Foreign Minister Marsudi stated.

With an opportunity to sit together in the UN Security Council starting next year, Indonesia is committed to improving communication and consultation with Poland on various issues of urgent nature.

On the other hand, Indonesia provides full support for Poland`s leadership in the Climate Change Conference (COP 24) to be held in Katowice in December 2018.

"We support the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and the success of the upcoming COP 24," Foreign Minister Marsudi stated.

Reporting by Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Editing by Eliswan, Sri Haryati

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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