By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil
JAKARTA, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Indonesia is ready to expand cooperation with Russia across various fields amid growing economic and trade ties between the two countries.
President Prabowo Subianto conveyed this during a luncheon with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on Thursday, according to a statement issued by Indonesia’s Government Communication Agency (Bakom).
Prabowo is attending the 11th Eastern Economic Forum as the main guest of honour at the invitation of Putin.
He said bilateral ties continued to improve, including in trade and the economy, while Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, viewed connectivity and maritime cooperation as important areas of cooperation with Russia.
“For Indonesia, Russia is a very important partner. Therefore, we are proud and pleased that our relations were elevated to a strategic partnership last year,” he said.
According to the statement, Putin identified agriculture, shipbuilding, digital technology and energy, particularly nuclear energy, as areas receiving attention for further bilateral cooperation.
He noted that bilateral trade volume increased by 12 per cent last year, while the Russia-Indonesia Joint Commission on economic, trade and technical cooperation continued efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries.
--NNN-BERNAMA