During the bilateral talks, I focused on the discussion on economic cooperation, Indonesia's contribution to regional and global peace and stability, and the support of partner countries for Indonesia's candidacy for election to the UN Human Rights CJakarta (ANTARA) - Economic cooperation and regional development featured heavily in discussions during bilateral meetings between Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and some eight nations’ representatives on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Marsudi attended some eight bilateral meetings on the first day of the 74th session of UNGA at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 23, 2019, according to a written statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received here on Wednesday.
Minister Marsudi held meetings with the foreign ministers of Greece, the Republic of Dominica, Ivory Coast, South Sudan, and Ethiopia as well as the UN Secretary Special Envoy to Myanmar, the US Secretary of State's Assistant, and the US Special Envoy to Afghanistan.
The various bilateral meetings drew focus on the endeavors to intensify bilateral relations and develop regional and global stability as well as security.
"During the bilateral talks, I focused on the discussion on economic cooperation, Indonesia's contribution to regional and global peace and stability, and the support of partner countries for Indonesia's candidacy for election to the UN Human Rights Council," she expounded.
Speaking in connection with economic cooperation, Marsudi highlighted the significance of bilateral trade regulation instruments, such as the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), particularly with non-traditional partners, including Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and the Republic of Dominica.
She also reiterated the significance of the participation of Indonesian companies and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in infrastructure and housing development in several nations, including Ivory Coast and Ethiopia.
During the meeting, Marsudi also followed up on the business agreements generated at the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue in Bali on August 20-21, 2019.
Furthermore, she drew attention to the criticality of boosting interaction between entrepreneurs of Indonesia and partner countries to encourage economic cooperation.
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"I gladly invite businesspersons from our partner countries to attend the 2019 Indonesia Trade Expo Indonesia," she remarked.
At these bilateral meetings, Minister Marsudi also garnered support for Indonesia's candidacy at the UN Human Rights Council.
"Indonesia is highly committed to promoting and protecting human rights at the global level through international cooperation and dialogue," she stated.
At the meeting with the US Secretary of State's Assistant David Stilwell, the US Special Envoy to Afghanistan Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, and the UN Special Envoy to Myanmar Christine Burgener, Marsudi held comprehensive discussions on the development of regional and global security and peace, particularly on the ASEAN Outlook on Indo Pacific, the development of peace in Afghanistan, and the latest situation in Rakhine State.
"All parties laud Indonesia's involvement to support peace in Afghanistan and to facilitate a safe, voluntary, and humane refugee repatriation," she affirmed.
The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific was officiated by the ASEAN Leaders in July 2019, and the United States had voiced its support, as it might serve as a platform for future regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Four partnership documents inked during the series of bilateral meetings were The Indonesia-Greece Agreement on Economic Cooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Bilateral Consultation, and Visa Free Agreements with Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast.
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
