VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo received a state visit by Democratic Republic of East Timor President Francisco Guterres Lu Olo on Thursday, June 28th at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java. This visit is the first overseas visit of President Guterres after being sworn in as President last year. In his speech, President Joko Widodo called the state visit as a show of close relationship between Indonesia and Timor Leste. In the meeting, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the two heads of state agreed to improve the bilateral relations that looked ahead. Some of the things that become the focus of discussion include cooperation in trade and investment. During the meeting President Joko Widodo conveyed Indonesia's commitment to continue to be a reliable partner in economic development in Timor Leste.

“Indonesia is Timor Leste’s major trading partner and also known with 9 SOEs and 400 Indonesian owned companies operating in Timor Leste. The value of Indonesian investment in Timor Leste is over 595 million USD therefore, we agreed to initiate negotiations and reach on the promotion of investment protection and double taxation avoidance agreements. I am sure that the government of President Lu Olo will continue to provide assurance and legal certainty for Indonesian investment,” said Joko Widodo.

Furthermore, President Jokowi said, the two heads of state also agreed to increase cooperation in the field of connectivity. In this case, according to President Jokowi, the two heads of state discussed the completion of the construction of the Motaain bridge. This bridge will connect Motaain in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara with Batugade in Timor Leste. In addition, according to Jokowi, the two heads of state also welcomed the opening of flight routes that linked Kupang and Dili. In addition, President Joko Widodo and President Francisco Guterres Lu Olo also agreed to increase cooperation in education and capacity building. Jokowi asserted that Indonesia welcomes the desire of East Timorese students to continue their study in Indonesia. (VOI/Ndy/DP)