“Italy sees Indonesia as a natural partner: we share the same democratic values and G20 membership, we face the same global challenges, the first of which is climate change, and we support the UN multilateral system based on common rules. Our strategic partnership, which began in 2012, is the ideal framework in which to develop political relations and an excellent ground for cooperation in the area of energy, urban planning, the agro-industry, logistics and the maritime sector.
Italy is Indonesia’s third-largest trade partner in Europe: we discussed how to give new impulse to our economic partnership in view of the great potential that could be tapped, especially in terms of trade volumes and investments. With Minister Marsudi we discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed on the importance of strengthening EU-Indonesia relations. The prospect of an Advanced Partnership Agreement is key in stepping up economic relations.”
The statement was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations in his visit to Jakarta on 7 February, during which he had talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, with the Secretary-General of the ASEAN, Lim Jock Hoi (at the first bilateral meeting with a EU Minister) and with representatives of the Italian business community in Indonesia.
