... proposed cooperation in five fields with Germany, namely investment and trade, health, education, defense, and environmentally-friendly energy cooperation...
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Yudhoyono has proposed cooperation in five fields with Germany, namely investment and trade, health, education, defense, and environmentally-friendly energy cooperation.

German investment in Indonesia currently totaled around 300 million US dollars, the head of state said in a joint press conference with visiting German President Christian Wulff, at Merdeka Palace, here, Thursday.

"However, the amount could be increased further," Yudhoyono said.

Yudhoyono invited Germany to become a strategic partner for the projects of the Indonesian Economic Development Expansion and Acceleration Masterplan (MP3EI).

He also expressed his hope for the transfer of health technology from Germany. He also hoped that more Indonesian young people could have opportunities to study technologies in Germany.

The president said Indonesia wanted to have long-term cooperation in defense with Germany, especially concerning joint production and investment.

Wulff said that the bilateral cooperation between Germany and Indonesia would continue.

Germany was interested in establishing cooperation with Indonesia in the sector of energy friendly to the environment, he said.

"Indonesia is the lung of the world, and we very much hope that Indonesia manages its forest properly," he said.

He said his country offered around 400 scholarships for Indonesians to study in Germany.

The state visit of Wulff marked the preparations for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Germany in 2012.

For that occasion, Yudhoyono invited German Chancellor Angela Markel to visit Indonesia next year.

In the evening, Yudhoyono will host a state banquet for his German counterpart at State Palace.

During his state visit from November 30 to December 2, Wulff is also scheduled to attend a Business Forum with the German community in Indonesia, and give a public lecture at the University of Indonesia (UI).

He will also meet Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Taufik Kiemas and former president BJ Habibie, as well as several prominent figures, men of culture, and members of Indonesia`s civil society. (F001)

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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