RI, Finland Agree To Increase Cooperation In Various Fields

Jakarta, (Antarariau.com) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto have agreed to cooperate in various fields.

"We welcomed 11 top Finnish companies which want to do business in the fields of energy, information technology and infrastructure," Jokowi said in a joint statement with President Sauli Niinisto at the Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday.

The Indonesian President said both heads of state agreed to set a trade target for 2016 worth one billion US dollars.

"We agreed to continue increasing the investment to reach 3.6 million US dollars in 2015," Jokowi added.

In the energy field, Indonesia asked Finland to cooperate in the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

In the digital economy, Jokowi said Indonesia is the biggest digital economic state in Southeast Asia. He asked major Finnish companies in the field of information technology to take advantage of this momentum.

"We also discussed global issues. We pay the same attention to refugees from the Middle East. I stressed the importance of settling the conflict peacefully in keeping with our tolerant culture," said Jokowi.

Both heads of state also discussed the issue of climate change.

"I pointed out Indonesias commitment, hoping that industrial states will showcase their efforts to reduce (gas) emissions and provide support for implementation (of emission reduction) in developing countries," noted Jokowi.

On this occasion, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto expressed his concern over the haze disaster in Indonesia.

"I am saddened to learn that the haze disaster has claimed lives. On behalf of the people of Finland, I express deep condolences," said President Niinisto.

During the state visit, President Jokowi and President Niinisto discussed various topics of mutual concern, regional and global issues, and economic cooperation.

"Finland and Indonesia enjoy a very close cooperation. Our cooperation relations are based on a tradition which was established 61 years ago. One of the important milestones in our relations was the Helsinki agreement on Aceh Peace," said Niinisto.

He said that economic cooperation is the focus of his current state visit to Indonesia.

"I am happy, bringing together experts and businessmen from Finland. I am pleased to have identified advantageous sectors. We discussed economic and energy sectors. We also had the opportunity to discuss cooperation in the education sector," President Niinisto stated.

Earlier, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

"Finland is a state whose people are the most innovative and competitive. We have a similar understanding," Niinisto added.