Indonesian Foreign Affairs` Minister Marty Natalegawa said at a joint press conference with the Nigerian Foreign Affairs`s Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, here on Thursday.
"I wish to put on record on how special the 2013 for the two countries as the President of Nigeria will visit Indonesia," said Natalegawa.
During a joint press conference, the two ministers also mentioned that they have identified about many areas of partnership to strengthen Indonesia and Nigeria relationships, particularly in economy, trade and investment, mining cooperation, agriculture, as well as in defense area, he explained.
Minister Natalegawa noted Nigeria is a partner of Indonesia in many international forums and organizations that have similarity as the emerging country and the member of Islamic Cooperation.
"Hence, Nigeria as a major player, a key player, in the African Continent and we develop the good cooperation with Nigeria, means develop with the African continent as well," he said.
The visit of Nigerian Foreign Affairs` Minister Ashiru to Indonesia aims hold the first joint commission meeting as follow up of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two ministers in New York in September 2012.
The two countries` relations especially in the field of politics have strengthened in the past few years marked by exchange of visits by senior officials and support at international forum.
In the economic sector, Nigeria is one of Indonesia`s main trade partners in Africa while Indonesia is also Nigeria`s biggest partner in the ASEAN region.
Trade between the two countries has been increasing in the past few years. In 2012, it was recorded at 3.18 billion US dollar or up 50 percent compared to 2011 with 2.09 billion US dollar.
(A060/A014)
Reporter: Azi Fitriyanti
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
