“We covered a lot of things, a lot of topics during our meetings and discussion,” Sugiono said while issuing a joint press statement at his ministry’s office in Jakarta on Friday.
He informed that the two sides discussed trade and investment as well as bilateral relations, which will enter their 67th year this year.
They also agreed to make their relations even stronger and more meaningful in the future.
Sugiono added that during the meeting, the New Zealand delegation said that it will contribute to Indonesia’s efforts to provide nutritious food to children through the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) program.
The delegates also promised to share expertise and best practices from New Zealand.
According to the Indonesian foreign minister, the two countries also agreed on training and education.
Indonesia is aware that New Zealand has technology, very advanced agriculture, and advanced agricultural universities that it can learn from, he said.
“We agreed also to expand the scholarship that we already have all these years, and to give more incentive for students from Indonesia to study agriculture in New Zealand,” he disclosed.
In addition, the two sides discussed increasing high-level exchanges and visits, with Foreign Minister Sugiono expressing his desire to visit New Zealand at least this year.
He said that he discussed several possible trade tie-ups for non-agricultural products and increasing cooperation in sustainable energy.
Related news: Indonesia seeks to intensify partnership with New Zealand
During the meeting, both parties also signed an agreement on research, training, and education, and agreed on mutual recognition and acceptance of halal standards.
“I also reiterate that New Zealand and Indonesia are very close neighbors. We feel the same heat in this region. And whatever happens to any of us will also affect the other,” Sugiono said.
“So, we agreed that we will maintain this relationship and strengthen it and put it into a higher level, a closer level, that we can achieve something for the best of our peoples and both our countries,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister Peters expressed pleasure over getting to visit Jakarta four times since his reappointment in late 2023.
He said that Indonesia is a top priority for the New Zealand government. It is one of New Zealand’s oldest friends in Southeast Asia, and relations between the two countries are getting warmer and deeper day by day.
Therefore, New Zealand is determined to step up cooperation, Peters said.
Related news: Indonesia opens opportunities for cooperation with New Zealand
Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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