Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia seeks to increase economic cooperation with Serbia by pushing the establishment of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi noted in a Foreign Affairs Ministry's press release in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Marsudi made the statement after meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Monday (Sept 4).

Indonesia, as the ASEAN Chair in 2023, adopted the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth."

At the meeting, Serbia signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and became the 52nd country to adopt the agreement.

Marsudi lauded Serbia for joining the TAC and keenness to strengthen business relations between both nations.

She also invited Serbian businessmen to attend the Trade Expo Indonesia and Indonesia-Europe Business Forum that will be held in Jakarta in October 2023.

The Serbian minister lauded the friendship between Indonesia and Serbia that has been built since the Asian-African Conference (KAA) in 1955.

The two ministers agreed that the "Bandung Spirit", cooperation between developing countries, and respect for the international law are increasingly relevant and important amid the fierce geopolitical competition.

Indonesia and Serbia will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2024 and the Serbian minister has invited President Joko Widodo to visit Serbia.

Serbia was one of Indonesia's biggest trading partners in the West Balkan region, with trading value having increased 227 percent in the first half of 2023 as compared to the same period in the previous year.

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Translator: Katriana, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Sri Haryati
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