Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and vice president of the European Union, Federica Mogherini, met and agreed to strengthen economic cooperation between Indonesia and EU.

The bilateral meeting was held on Friday (Sept 23) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings, according to a press release issued by the office of the minister and received here on Saturday (Sept. 24).

In the meeting, the two discussed efforts to increase cooperation between Indonesia and EU, especially in the field of trade.

Retno and Mogherini also discussed preparations in the run up to the negotiations on Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA).

I-EU CEPA is expected to enable significantly stronger trade relations between Indonesia and EU in the future.

The first round of the I-EU CEPA negotiations is scheduled to start in early 2017.

The two ministers also discussed global issues of common concern, including regional cooperation and the ASEAN-EU meeting scheduled to be held soon.

They also discussed efforts to increase cooperation in the fight against terrorism through a de-radicalization program, interfaith dialogue and improvement in the capacity of government institutions in counter-terrorism.

source: antaranews