VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia expressed its commitment to continue strengthening its strategic partnership with France. This was revealed during Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto's visit to France to attend bilateral and Two Plus Two (2+2) meetings with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the partnership should be based on the principle of mutual respect and benefit, and based on respect for international law and the UN Charter.

"The Indonesia-France partnership must also contribute positively to creating a more stable, safe and peaceful world," Retno said in a statement received by Indonesia Window here on Friday (21/7).

In terms of economic cooperation, Retno emphasized the importance of completing the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Indonesia-EU CEPA) negotiations.

"However, I also expressed concern regarding the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the EU Enforcement Regulation (EUER) which could disrupt the negotiations. Indonesia strongly opposes EUDR and EUER," she said.

Regarding investment, Retno underlined an 87 percent increase in French investment in the first quarter of 2023. She also encouraged French investment in the energy transition sector, industrial downstreaming and also the development of the Capital of the Archipelago (IKN).

"There is already a commitment of 500 million euros from France to support the energy transition in Indonesia," she said.

Meanwhile, related to defense cooperation, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of cooperation that is not limited to the sale and purchase of the main weapon system (alutsista), but also technology transfer, joint development and production. According to her, this is important to build Indonesia's autonomy strategy.

"Indonesia also wants to be part of the global supply chain for strategic industries. For this reason, I encourage the implementation of joint ventures and joint production cooperation between Thales & PT LEN Industry," he said.

Meanwhile, in the security sector, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi encouraged a number of cooperation between Indonesia and France, namely maritime security and French technology transfer and capacity building support for the Indonesian Marine Security Agency (Bakamla), cyber security and cooperation between the State Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and the Thales defense industry, and disaster management cooperation including inviting France to attend the ASEAN Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise 2023 in August.

In bilateral and 2+2 meetings, the two countries also discussed regional issues, Global North and Global South cooperation, as well as global strategic cooperation and issues.

In addition to meeting with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto also paid a courtesy call on French President Emmanuel Macron. (VOI/Andy)