Indonesia and Japan acceded to bringing up the matter of multilateral trading system relating to the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the G-20 Summit in Osaka, Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated. Lukita gave confirmation on the agreement following bilateral talks with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Hiroshige Seko in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"Indonesia backs the reform of the WTO. In this case, Indonesia and Japan are on the same page on raising the theme at the G-20 Summit to be held in Osaka," Lukita noted.

As this year's G20 Summit host, Lukita affirmed that Japan had lobbied other nations and sought support to ensure they take a unified step over the matter of the multilateral trading system to lead the impetus for a better functioning WTO. The minister pointed to the rise in protectionism in several nations, for which it should be among other topics to be discussed at the G-20 Summit.

"There should not be protectionism. We expressed our support for the reform (of WTO) and only the way to realize it will be discussed separately," he remarked.

The G20 membership covers an array of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, constituting some two-thirds of the world’s population, 85 percent of the global gross domestic product, and over 75 percent of the global trade.

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union are G20 members. (ant)