Jokowi Meets With Norwegian Foreign Minister to Strengthen Relations
Jakarta. Norway's Foreign Minister Berge Brende met with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (31/05).
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Jokowi reaffirmed fisheries and the environmental and forestry sectors as the two greatest priorities in the bilateral relationship.
The meeting touched on the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation program, known by it's catchier name REDD+, which launched in 2010. The program consists of three stages: preparation, transformation and implementation.
Indonesia and Norway are currently transitioning between the first and second phase.
"The president gave instructions to accelerate the implementation of the [REDD+] agreement, while strengthening cooperation with the Environment Ministry and Peatland Restoration Agency,” Retno said.
In the fishery sector, Retno said the Minister for Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti had visited Norway to meet with Berge separately. During that meeting, the two agreed to partner against illegal fishing, enhancing fish cultivation and the sustainable management of maritime resources.
Meanwhile, both countries recognize the potential of partnerships in hydropower.
"The Norwegian foreign minister said almost 100 percent of energy in Norway comes from hydropower and there are several investments [in Indonesia] in the same sector," she said.
Norwegian Ambassador Stig Traavik, director for regional affairs Gunn Jorid Roset, deputy director of the ministry of foreign affairs Anne Kirsti Karlsen, political adviser to the minister Peder Egseth and adviser Elisabeth Hallenstvedt also attended the meeting.
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