"It is proper for Indonesia to be a gateway for Asia and Latin America."Quito (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said his country may serve as a gateway for Asia-Latin America cooperation as the two regions have huge potential for wider cooperation.
"It is proper for Indonesia to be a gateway for Asia and Latin America. Ecuador may use Indonesia to establish closer relations with East Asia," President Yudhoyono said in a joint press conference with Ecuadorian President Rafel Correa Delgado at the Carondelet Presidential Palace in Quito on Saturday.
Yudhoyono said Indonesia-Ecuador relations might also strengthen trans Pacific cooperation.
Meanwhile, President Correa said enhanced relations between Indonesia and Ecuador would bring the Latin American culture closer to Asia, which would eventually strengthen South-South cooperation.
Correa`s commitment to encouraging Asian-Latin American cooperation was reflected by his decision to pay a state visit in Indonesia shortly after he came to power in 2007.
"Indonesia and Ecuador have many things in common," he said.
He said Indonesia had many experiences in strategic sectors, including oil, mining and telecommunication industries.
"Ecuador is looking forward to developing the mining sector, particularly gold and copper mining in which Indonesia has broad experiences," he said.
On the occasion, the two countries also signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU). Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan signed a MoU on trade and investment cooperation with Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration Ricardo Patino Aroca, while Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Minister Aroca signed a MoU on joint activities to increase bilateral communication and consultations.
Indonesia and Ecuador established diplomatic relations on April 29, 1980. Indonesia opened its embassy in Quito on November 11, 2010. However, Indonesian Ambassador to Ecuador Saut Maruli Gultom assumed the post only on March 15, 2012.
Meanwhile, Ecuador appointed Alberto Calderon Ledesma as Ecuadorian ambassador to Indonesia on February 1, 2010.
(T.G003/S012/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
