Indonesia to Actively Engage in East Timor's Development

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo made a state visitation to neighboring East Timor earlier today to have an official luncheon session with President Taur Matan Ruak, followed by a bilateral meeting held between the Indonesia’s President and East Timor Prime Minister Maria de Araujo.

Discussion between the two was focused primarily upon border issue with spotlight also placed on Indonesia’s intention to become East Timor’s main partner in its national development process.

Prime Minister Araujo sincerely accepts such generous intention expressed by Indonesian President Jokowi and his willingness to talk over both land and sea borders to avoid future conflicts.

“I am sure that East Timor has a similarly strong commitment to work with us Indonesia,” President Jokowi explained as has been informed by the President’s Spokesman Ari Dwipayana, Tuesday (26/1/2016).

Furthering his country’s ambition to take concrete part in East Timor’s development process, President Jokowi went to outline two three sectors for cooperation that are deemed important to be the guiding principles governing their relationship. These sectors include: economic, trade and investment and people to people relation.

In terms of trade and investment, President Jokowi affirms that his country is ready to be the leading partner for its infrastructure development.

Energy and Mineral Resources Ministers from both countries have previously met on January 16 2016 in Bali and such meeting has served the relationship with a promise of actualization of many agreements made before.

They include cooperation on downstream business between PT. Pertamina and Timor GAP EP, potential cooperation on oil and gas and renewable energy upstream, electricity supply for interconnection network and many other energy- related cooperation.

President Jokowi also took the time during his recent visitation to East Timor to express his utmost appreciation over the country’s willingness to construct Indonesia’s cultural center in Dili, East Timor.