Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Russia, Vahid Supadiy, told TASS about the preparation for the meeting of the two presidents in Jakarta, the prospects for the creation of a free trade zone between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Community, and plans to resume direct flights between Moscow and Jakarta.
- Mr. Ambassador, Russia and Indonesia have set a goal to increase bilateral trade up to $ 5 billion. What is being done for this?
According to Indonesian statistics, the turnover for the first five months of this year was $ 1.12 billion, an increase of 54% over the same period last year.Last year, according to Russian data, commodity turnover reached $ 2.6 billion.
Obviously, the current level of trade and economic ties is much inferior to the potential of the two countries.However, the parties are very optimistic.In early August this year, as part of the Indonesian festival in Moscow, the Russian-Indonesian business forum was held for the first time, in which about 350 representatives of business circles of the two countries took part.This shows the genuine interest of Russia and Indonesia to each other.
- What is the agenda for the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and technical cooperation to be held in October in Moscow?
"We are still agreeing on a timetable, but I believe that the meeting will be held in the second or third week of October.To participate in the work of the commission in Moscow, the Minister-Coordinator for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution will arrive.On the Russian side, the commission's chairman is the Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.
One of the key topics of the talks will be the creation of a free trade zone between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union.The Minister of Commerce of Indonesia, Enggartiasto Lukita, has already transmitted the relevant application to the ECE to the Minister of Integration and Macroeconomics Tatiana Valova.Russia has supported our request, now we are waiting for the approval of other members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The next step will be the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ECE and the Government of Indonesia, scheduled for early next year in Jakarta.The Memorandum provides for the formation of a joint working group to study the prospects for concluding a free trade agreement.
We expect that the creation of FTA will double our turnover.
- What are the prospects for creating a free trade zone between the EurAsEC and ASEAN?
- This issue was also discussed, but the creation of a FTA between the Eurasian Economic Union and ASEAN will take more time.Therefore, some ASEAN members initiated negotiations with the EurAsEC on a bilateral basis.Thus, the free trade area has already been established with Vietnam, and Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand are consulting with the EurAsEC.
- Is Indonesia interested in joining theSCO as an observer or a dialogue partner?
While the conclusion of the agreement on free trade with the Eurasian Economic Community is at the center of our attention, but in the long term we do not exclude the possibility of joining in any quality and the activities of the SCO.
- When will the next Russian-Indonesian summit take place?
We look forward to the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Jakarta.Both sides are discussing this issue, and for us the sooner, the better.One of the documents that the leaders of Russia and Indonesia will sign will be a declaration on strategic partnership.This means that our relations will rise to a qualitatively new level.
- When can a direct air communication between Russia and Indonesia resume?
We expected the resumption of direct flights between Moscow and Jakarta in August of this year, but for some technical reasons it was postponed.We hope that air travel will open next year.The flights will be carried out by the Indonesian airline Garuda.
I would like to note, despite the absence of direct flights, last year more than 80,000 Russians visited our country.We hope that the launch of direct flights will increase the flow of tourists not only from Russia to Indonesia, but also from Indonesia to Russia, especially taking into account the fact that in 2018 in Russia will host the World Cup.According to the forecasts of travel agencies, about 40,000 Indonesians can visit Russia next year.
In addition, thanks to direct flights, we will be able to export tropical fruits.
- Russians do not need a visa to visit Indonesia for up to 30 days, do you expect that Russia will also simplify visa regulations?
The conditions for obtaining a visa in the Russian Federation for Indonesian citizens are strict, but the Russian side promised to simplify the procedure.Currently, we are discussing the draft Agreement on the simplification of the visa regime for mutual visits of Russian citizens and Indonesian citizens.
- During his visit to Jakarta in early August, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took part in the presentation of the MS-21.Are there plans to conclude contracts for the supply of Russian-made civil aircraft to Indonesia, such as theSukhoiSuperjet100 and the MS-21?
This issue should rather be addressed to business representatives.Indonesia is an archipelago of 17,000 islands, so one of the main ways of traveling inside the country is air transport, and this trend is now on the rise.The annual passenger flow in Indonesia is 95 million people.So, there is demand.
- In the acquisition of what weapons and military equipment of Russian production is interested in Jakarta?
At present, about 30% of the equipment in service with the Indonesian army is Russian-made equipment.Now we are preparing to sign a contract for the supply of Su-35 fighters.
We are also interested in purchasing BE-200 amphibious aircraft, which can be used both for military purposes and for fighting fires, the largest Mi-27 helicopter, as well as submarines.
- At a press conference following the talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi, Sergey Lavrov stressed that Russia is ready to support the capabilities of Indonesia to confront any threats, including the threat of terrorism.How do the sides develop cooperation in this area?
We intend to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, transnational crime.We agreed to exchange information, especially data on foreign terrorist insurgents, including those who are fighting on the side of the IG ("Islamic State", banned in Russia) in Syria.
- How does Indonesia assess the initiative of Russia at the East Asian Summit on the formation of an equal and indivisible security architecture in the APR?
We discussed this topic for a long time within the framework of APEC and YOU.I think that Russia and Indonesia have close approaches to the security problems in the APR, including as regards the conflict potential in the South China Sea and on the Korean peninsula.
- In early August in Moscow with great success was the festival of Indonesia.What other projects are planned to be implemented in the sphere of culture?
First of all I would like to note that the festival of Indonesia will be regular and will be held every year in early August in Moscow.
Now we are preparing the day of Indonesian culture in Kazan, which will be held on October 28.Within the framework of this holiday, the performances of the creative staff of the Embassy of Indonesia in Russia, as well as artists from Aceh province on the island of Sumatra are planned, as the Republic of Tatarstan and Aceh are going to become twin-regions.In general, it can be said that the cultural cooperation between Indonesia and Russia is developing in line with the agreements reached during the meeting of the leaders of our countries in Sochi in May last year, when the Program for Cooperation in Culture between the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for 2016-2018.
Another promising area of our humanitarian cooperation is education.A number of universities in Indonesia and Russia have already signed a cooperation agreement, for example, the University of Pattimura and the National Research Tomsk State University.In October, representatives of one of the best universities in Indonesia - the University "Gaja Mada" - will visit Russia to discuss cooperation.
I also look forward to increasing the number of Indonesian students in Russia.Now about 400 Indonesians study in the Russian Federation, this year Russia will provide 160 scholarships.We would like Russian universities to take a more active part in the educational Expo in Jakarta.So, I know that the Higher School of Economics is already represented there, and I think it attracts the largest number of Indonesian students.
Sumber : TASS
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