TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo accepted the honorary visit of Norway Foreign Minister Mr. Børge Brende and delegates at the State Palace on Tuesday, May 31.

The delegates comprise of Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway for the Republic of the Indonesia Stig Traavik, Director for Regional Affairs Gunn Jorid Roset, Deputy Director of the Secretariat of the MoFA Anne Kirsti Karlsen, Political Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Peder Egseth, and Adviser Elisabeth Hallenstvedt.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said Mr. Brende's first visit to Indonesia as Foreign Minister is aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

"The president delivered two main priorities in the partnership between Indonesia and Norway; cooperation in the fields of environment and forestry, and partnership in the fishery sector, Retno said after the meeting.

She added that Indonesia and Norway have been collaborating in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) since 2010. The partnership comprises of three phases: preparation, transformation, and implementation.

Minister Retno said Indonesia and Norway are now in the transition period from phase one to phase two.

"That's why the president gave a briefing on how to accelerate the partnership so we can start the implementation phase sooner, whilst tightening the cooperation between Norway and our Environment and Forestry Ministry as well as the Peat Restoration Agency."

On partnership in the fishery sector, the Foreign Minister said that Maritime and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has visited Norway to meet Mr. Brende.

Both countries agreed to cooperate in combating illegal fishing, developing aquaculture, and conducting accountable and sustainable management of the fishery industry.

The Norway delegates said that trade and investment between the two countries continue to improve. To date, Norway has invested US$1.2 billion worth of pension funds in Indonesia.

"The Norway Foreign Minister said that almost 100 percent of Norway's energy is sourced from hydro power. Their country has also begun to invest in our hydro power sector," Retno said.

BISNIS.COM