The two leaders agreed to strive to complete the negotiations of the CEPA (between Indonesia and Canada) by the end of next yearJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to complete the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) negotiations by the end of 2024.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi conveyed this information after accompanying President Jokowi in a bilateral meeting with PM Trudeau at the Presidential Palace here on Tuesday (September 5).
"The two leaders agreed to strive to complete the negotiations of the CEPA (between Indonesia and Canada) by the end of next year," Marsudi noted in a press release received on Tuesday evening.
According to the minister, President Jokowi and PM Trudeau also discussed the ASEAN-Canada strategic partnership that will be established soon. She expects that the strategic partnership could be followed up with concrete cooperation.
Marsudi said, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the high increase in bilateral trade in 2022.
On that occasion, PM Trudeau lauded Indonesia's leadership in the region that he considered as being quite influential, including Indonesia's success in hosting the G20 Presidency.
Meanwhile, President Jokowi welcomed the formation of a bilateral task force that aims to immediately follow up on the agreements discussed by the two leaders.
The president also encouraged the Canadian Pension Fund to invest in the Nusantara Capital City development and a green airport in North Kalimantan.
"The two leaders also talked about the importance of cooperation for food security. Currently, the Indonesian State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are exploring potash procurement cooperation and a joint venture with Canadian companies, and the president really hopes that they can be realized soon," Marsudi explained.
Furthermore, Jokowi and Trudeau spoke about halal certification, cooperation in critical minerals, and Indonesia's industry downstream program.
"PM Trudeau also expressed his support for Indonesia's application (for membership) in OECD, and he will talk to OECD members to give positive consideration to Indonesia," Marsudi stated.
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Translator: Rangga J, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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