Although in the last round of negotiations we have achieved significant progress, we have not agreed to several issues during the negotiations. We have agreed to work together to find the best solution because this is the mandate of the two countries
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister Jerry Sambuaga encouraged ways to boost trade ties between Indonesia and Turkey during his visit to Ankara on Monday.

During the visit, Sambuaga met with his Turkish counterpart, chief executive officers of several Turkish companies, and the chief of the Indonesia-Turkey Parliamentary Friendship, the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara noted in a statement released on Tuesday.

At the meeting with the Turkish deputy trade minister, both nations discussed a wide range of issues related to negotiations on the Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IT-CEPA) of which the fourth round of negotiations were held on January 30-31, 2020.

The fifth and sixth rounds of negotiations are expected to take place in April and July 2020.

The two deputy trade ministers agreed to expedite the negotiation process and are expected to conclude the aspects of free trade before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Jakarta in the third quarter of 2020.

"Although in the last round of negotiations, we have achieved significant progress, we have not agreed to several issues during the negotiations. We have agreed to work together to find the best possible solution since this is the mandate of the two countries' leaders," he explained.

In the meantime, Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Lalu Muhammad Iqbal pointed to the positive results of the meeting between the two deputy trade ministers.

"Turkey stated that the conclusion of free trade agreements with Indonesia and Britain is high on the list of the country's priorities in 2020," he remarked.

During his visit to Turkey, Sambuaga also met with 18 CEOs of Turkish companies grouped in the Indonesia-Turkey Economic Cooperation Council. The meeting was also attended by chiefs of chambers of commerce and industry of both nations.
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Translator: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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