Jakarta (ANTARA) – Canada supports Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said while visiting President Joko Widodo with her entourage at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said that Canada’s support was in the form of a commitment to pursue open communication with Indonesia to best prepare the G20 in addressing the current difficult situation.
Marsudi delivered the statement after welcoming the Canadian Foreign Minister’s entourage with President Widodo. The event was broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s official YouTube channel on Monday.
Other countries support commitment and open communication to optimize G20 implementation in the midst of challenges, she remarked.
During their meeting, President Widodo and the Canadian Foreign Minister also discussed economic cooperation between the two countries, as Canada is one of Indonesia’s most important trade and investment partners in the North American region.
The trade between Canada and Indonesia has seen a significant increase, almost reaching 30 percent in 2021. Further, there was a 4-percent increase in investment value the same year.
Thus, the President highlighted the importance of efforts to improve economic cooperation between the two countries, one of which is pushing for negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Indonesia and Canada held the first ‘Indonesia-Canada Economic Comprehensive Partnership Agreement’ (ICA-CEPA) negotiations in Bandung from March 14–19, 2022.
Among the issues discussed were clean energy and infrastructure. Marsudi disclosed that Canadian investors showed interest in continuing to invest in Indonesia.
Director general of international trade negotiations at the Trade Ministry, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, acted as Chief Negotiator for Indonesia, while the Canadian delegation was led by the associate assistant deputy minister, trade policy and negotiations for global affairs, Arun Alexander.
State Secretary Minister Pratikno and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung were present for welcoming the Canadian Foreign Minister’s entourage.
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