RI, FRANCE AGREE ON ‘UNLIMITED’ STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Erwida Maulia
THE JAKARTA POST/PARIS

Indonesia and France have agreed to step up their bilateral relationship through a planned launch of what leaders of the two countries called an “unlimited strategic partnership”.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met with French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday to discuss the issue, upon which they agreed on enacting the partnership starting next year when Indonesia and France were to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ bilateral relationship.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters after the meeting between the
two presidents at Elysee Palace in Paris that Yudhoyono had invited the French president to visit
Indonesia to co-launch the strategic partnership.
“There is willingness between the two countries to begin a strategic partnership. France has firmly stated that Indonesia has gained more influence globally, and wants a without-limit strategic partnership [with Indonesia],” said Marty.
“The planned visit of President Sarkozy to Indonesia in 2010 will be a good opportunity to formalize the strategic partnership.”
With the unlimited partnership, Marty said, there would be huge potential for cooperation between the two countries across a range of fields, including social, cultural, education and engineering.
Earlier that day, Yudhoyono met with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, during which the two leaders agreed to further develop the relationship between Indonesia and European Union.
Marty said the EU’s and France’s intentions to strengthen their relationships with Indonesia signified the latter’s emerging influence on the global stage.
“It’s getting clearer that Indonesia is in a transition period with growing influence internationally, which we must safeguard,” he said.
Besides discussing the prospect for the strategic partnership, Yudhoyono and Sarkozy in their talks also discussed many other issues, including what roles they could play in the G20 economic group and in the climate change conference in Copenhagen to ensure its success.
Regarding the Muslim world’s role, the two leaders stressed the importance of representation of Muslim majority countries at the UN Security Council, and Indonesia’s chance for it was recognized, Marty said.
Before meeting with Sarkozy in the evening, Yudhoyono addressed some 100 French businesspeople investing in Indonesia at a business luncheon held upon his arrival in Paris.
Marty who is accompanying the President during the European trip, said Yudhoyono explained to the French investors the recent developments in Indonesia following the Presidents re-election in July.
The new government’s priority programs, as well as existing opportunities and potentials for investment, were also explained.
Marty said the French businesses considered Indonesia’s investment climate to be “interesting”, and were impressed with the improvements in legal certainty and procedures to start businesses, as well as the country’s positive economic growth through and since the global financial crisis.