According to Jokowi, the bilateral relations between Russia and Indonesia have grown stronger and are based on the values of friendship, equality, mutual respect, and understanding.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Russia have agreed to increase cooperation in various sectors amid the commemoration of 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"The commemoration can be a momentum to enhance and deepen bilateral cooperation, which have been well established to date," Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated in a press release received here on Tuesday.

President Jokowi lauded his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin for the well-established cooperation between the two nations.

According to Jokowi, the bilateral relations between Russia and Indonesia have grown stronger and are based on the values of friendship, equality, mutual respect, and understanding.

"We realize that the potential for further cooperation can be developed. We can take the cooperation to a higher level, not only bilateral but also in regional or global forums," Jokowi asserted.

Moreover, President Putin also praised Indonesias efforts. Putin affirmed that the cooperation between Russia and Indonesia is blooming and includes the new development sectors, which have been agreed by both presidents on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Beijing held several months ago.

"I want to highlight Russias readiness to create constructive cooperation to enhance our bilateral relationship. The effort is a response to accommodate the interests of Russia and Indonesia to guarantee stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region," Putin stated.

Retno L.P. Marsudi and Sergey Lavrov, the foreign ministers of both countries, also commended each other and expressed hope that the cooperation between both countries can be further developed in the future.

The total value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and Russia was recorded at US$1.685 billion in 2010. The main export commodities are palm oil, electronic products, tea, coffee, cigarettes, and clothing.

In the meantime, Indonesia imported aircraft, weaponry, iron and steel, fertilizers, and aluminum.

The diplomatic relations between both nations have been established since February 3, 1950, and each country built its embassy in Moscow and Jakarta in 1954.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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