Indonesia and UK Agreed To Partnership Road Map

VIVA – Indonesia and the United Kingdom have agreed on a road map for partnership between the two nations for the 2022–2024 period, according to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and her British counterpart, Liz Truss, in London on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Marsudi stressed the significance of the road map for enhancing relations between the two countries.

"The road map for Indonesia-Britain partnership serves as a strategic document, which provides guidance for cooperation in strengthening the mutually beneficial bilateral partnership," she remarked.

The road map covers strategic cooperation programs in the fields of economy, politics, security, and the environment. The programs include an agreement to eliminate discriminative trade practices by exploring the possibility of mutually recognized steps for standardization and certification, she informed.

The road map also covers cooperation in energy transition and health, support for Indonesia's efforts to become a part of the global industrial supply chain, and regional and global cooperation, including Britain's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency.

Marsudi said she believes that the road map will take the partnership between the two countries to a higher level amid global dynamics and geopolitical challenges.

"The future-oriented partnership is based on the principles of mutual respect (and) mutual benefit and is in line with international norms and laws as well as shared value between Indonesia and Britain," she added.

The road map agreed upon at the meeting is a follow-up to a bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers in Jakarta on November 11, 2021. The two ministers will monitor the implementation of the agreement with the help of senior officials from the two countries.

In Britain, Marsudi also met member of the British parliament, Richard Graham, who is also the British Prime Minister's envoy for trade, to discuss ways to promote bilateral cooperation.

Marsudi said support from the two countries' parliaments is key for the success of the nations’ efforts to take their partnership to a higher level.

She also praised Britain for its support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency.

Britain is a G20 member and an important partner of Indonesia in terms of bilateral cooperation.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, trade between the two countries grew 18 percent to US$2.6 billion in 2021 from US$2.2 billion a year earlier.

Meanwhile, British investment in Indonesia jumped 67 percent to US$322.9 million from US$192.8 million. (ant)