Jakarta, Indonesia – Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno L.P. Marsudi received the visit of Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano at Gedung Pancasila (7/2). Indonesia was the first country in the series of visits to Southeast Asia of Minister Alfano. After Indonesia, Minister Alfano will depart for Singapore and Thailand. On the occasion, the two countries agreed to strengthen the strategic cooperation between Indonesia and Italy. Moreover because, next year, Indonesia and Italy will commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the theme “MSME's and Creative Economy". The momentum is also used to improve interaction between high-ranking officials of both countries.
In relation to the economy theme of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Italy is Indonesia's third largest trading partner in the European Union, until November 2017, the Indonesia-Italian total trade has reached US$ 3 billion, an increase of 16.84% compared to the same period in 2016. In relation to creative economic cooperation, Indonesia and Italy agreed to increase cooperation involving Indonesian SMEs with related partners in Italy, especially in the culinary, fashion and furniture industries. In addition, they also discussed the program of capability building, networking and market sharing for Indonesia's culinary industry. Foreign Minister Retno expressed Indonesia's concern over the EU Parliament's decision prohibiting the use of palm oil in biofuel by 2021.
“I emphasize that the palm oil industry in Indonesia has been developed in accordance with the principles of Sustainable Palm Oil," said Foreign Minister Retno. Indonesia and Italy also have close cooperation in terms of interfaith dialogue, both countries agreed to continue to promote a culture of tolerance and moderation in supporting world peace. Foreign Minister Retno and Foreign Minister Alfano also discussed regional and global issues of mutual concern, among others the peace process in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian issue. Indonesia and Italy agreed to assist the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh in ensuring the repatriation of refugees carried out in encountering the Rakhine State crisis. Furthermore, in the context of ASEAN-EU cooperation, Foreign Minister Retno and Foreign Minister Alfano discussed the collaboration in overcoming various challenges encountered by the countries in the region. (Indonesian Foreign Ministry) (Kemlu, February 2018)
