VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held a meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt within the framework of the 5th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Oslo, Norway. This meeting was part of Foreign Minister Retno's two-day visit to Norway on June 12-13, 2023.

During the meeting, according to Retno, Indonesia and Norway agreed to continue implementing the Indonesia-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to increase trade cooperation between the two parties.

"Some of the things I conveyed include that trade between the two countries has doubled last year. Both countries are also committed to continue implementing the Indonesia-EFTA CEPA. Indonesia invites Norway to increase investment, both in the field of downstream industry development and green energy," Retno said in a statement received by Indonesia Window here on Tuesday (13/6).

On that occasion, the two Foreign Ministers welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support emission reduction from Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU). According to Retno, this cooperation has started and will be very useful to support Indonesia's efforts to reduce emissions from the forestry sector.

"Indonesia also welcomes Norway's commitment of USD250 million to implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Indonesia," Retno said.

In addition, the two Foreign Ministers also discussed the human rights dialogue and agreed to continue to strengthen it in the future with the aim of strengthening each other, not pointing fingers at each other. According to Retno, this year's dialog will be held in Indonesia.

"We also agreed to collaborate to advance women's rights, including in Afghanistan," she added.

Norway and Indonesia will co-host the Development Leaders'

In addition to bilateral issues, the 5th JCBC also discussed regional issues and multilateral cooperation, including the issues of Myanmar and Afghanistan. Retno Marsudi also used the opportunity to ask for Norway's support for Indonesia's candidacy in the Human Rights Council 2024-2026 and UNSC 2029-2030. (VOI/Andy)