VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi received a visit from Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Jakarta. Foreign Minister Retno said this year marks 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, so it should be utilized as a momentum to improve cooperative relations.

"Lithuania and Indonesia are geographically far apart, but we share the same commitment to the fundamental values of democracy, peace and sustainable development," she said in a joint statement after the meeting, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Jakarta, Monday (30/10/2023).

In the field of trade, until mid-2023, Indonesia-Lithuania cooperation increased by 43 percent compared to the previous year. However, according to Retno, this number does not yet show the true potential of cooperation between the two countries.

"To increase two-way trade and ensure more balanced trade benefits, I ask for Minister Landsbergis' support in facilitating more Indonesian products to enter the Lithuanian market, including rubber, paper and wood-based furniture," she said.

Retno further welcomed Indonesian palm oil which is one of the main export commodities to Lithuania. According to her, nearly 800 plantations in Indonesia have received the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certificate.

"I believe Indonesia will be able to provide more sustainable palm oil to Lithuania," she said.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Retno also expressed her appreciation for the expansion of Lithuanian aviation industry investment at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport, including charter flights and new air transportation.

Foreign Minister Retno also highlighted cooperation in education and information technology cooperation. In this regard, she said, the two Foreign Ministers focused on increasing cooperation between universities through joint research and double degree programs.

"This year, Indonesia has also reopened the Darmasiswa Scholarship for Lithuanian students, and there are already 73 Lithuanian alumni from this Darmasiswa Scholarship," she said.

Retno also encouraged stronger cooperation to develop information technology for land and air transportation systems, as well as strengthen cybersecurity partnerships, through human resource capacity building. (Andy Romdoni)