Finland and Indonesia has agreed to strengthen cooperation on several areas including education and renewable energy. Indonesia also criticized the EUs ban on palm oil.
On Monday the 18th of June the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Timo Soini met with the Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi to discuss the two country’s trade and bilateral relations.
“Indonesia and Finland have had significant improvements in bilateral relations in 2017,” Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi said in a statement.
At the meeting several topics were discussed. Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on education and interfaith dialogue.
The Foreign Ministers also agreed to to step up cooperation in forest management and renewable energy.
During the meeting the EUs stand on palm oil was also criticized. Being the largest export commodity of Indonesia that country has not taken a positive stand on the EUs decision ban palm oil in biofuel.
The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in which Timo Soini expressed his gratitude for “the longstanding and excellent ties with Indonesia” and described them as a “valued partner” to Finland.
