VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, encouraged the establishment of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and strengthening business relations between Indonesia and Serbia.

"To increase economic cooperation between the two countries, Indonesia encourages the establishment of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and encourages the strengthening of business relations between Indonesia and Serbia," Retno Marsudi told Siberian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and the 43rd ASEAN Summit, as quoted from the official statement of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (4/09/2023).

On the same occasion, Siberia signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and became the 52nd country to accede to the agreement. Related to this, Retno appreciated Serbia's accession to the TAC which was carried out right when Indonesia became Chair of ASEAN.

"Foreign Minister Retno invited Serbian businessmen to attend Trade Expo Indonesia and the Indonesia - Europe Business Forum which will be held in Jakarta in October 2023," the ministry wrote.

In addition, to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2024, the Siberian Foreign Minister specifically invited Indonesian President Joko Widodo to visit Siberia.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Serbia have been established since the Asian-African Conference in 1955. Both Ministers agreed that the Bandung spirit, cooperation among developing countries, and respect for international law are increasingly relevant and important in the midst of sharpening geopolitical contestation.

Serbia is one of Indonesia's largest trading partners in the Western Balkans region. The value of trade between Indonesia and Serbia in the first half of 2023 increased by 227% compared to the same period the previous year. (VOI/Ranov)