VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

On the sidelines of a series of activities of the Indonesia Africa Forum 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also received representatives from Ethiopian Airlines. According to Retno, the Indonesian government stressed the importance of connectivity aspect in an effort to improve cooperation relationship with countries in Africa.

Related to that, the Indonesian government welcomes the formation of direct flight from Jakarta to the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.

Nevertheless, according to Retno, this step will not stop there. The Indonesian government also wants Addis Ababa to be a liaison between Indonesia's cooperation with African countries.

"We can feel that there is a lack of connectivity between Indonesia with Africa including for air connectivity. Therefore, the agreement to conduct direct flight from Jakarta to Addis Ababa is a new breakthrough to support the economic activities of Indonesia in Africa. So again this is a breakthrough but it is a very early one too. So breakthrough but not everything because we want to also make Addis Ababa as a hub for our steps to strengthen connectivity in other African regions, especially in the sub-region, "Retno said.

Furthermore, in his meeting with Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who was also accompanied by Garuda Indonesia, encouraged increased cooperation between the two airlines.

She encouraged the achievement of cooperation between Garuda Maintenance Facility with Ethiopian Airlines in technical handling for Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jakarta.

In addition, the cooperation of the two airlines, according to Retno, can also be extended especially in the field of training. Currently, according to Retno, Garuda Maintenance Facility already has a training center that has received recognition from Airbus. (VOI / Andy / AHM)