TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - French President Francois Hollande will pay a state visit to Indonesia on March 29, 2017.

“It will be a historical state visit because the last time a French president visited Indonesia was 30 years ago,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir told a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, March 23, 2017.

President Francois Hollande will also visit Singapore and Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia as part of his Southeast Asia tour. The French President will bring along 30-40 businessmen, ministers and members of the French parliament.

President Hollande and President Joko Widodo will discuss economic cooperation and support for the Palestinian struggle for independence.

On the same occasion, director for Europe I of the directorate general of the Americas and Europe for the Foreign Ministry Dino R. Kusnadi said that President Hollande’s visit will help enhance bilateral relations and strengthen the strategic partnership between Indonesia and France declared in June 2011.

Dino said that the two major themes in the improvement of the strategic partnership are cooperation in maritime affairs and creative economy, which joint declarations will be made at Wednesday’s meeting.

President Holland will be accompanied by France’s defense minister and digital affairs and innovation minister who will sign memoranda of understanding (MoU) on sustainable urban development, research, technology, high education, defense, marine affairs, fishery and tourism.

“In the field of defense, cooperation between the two countries includes improved capability of the peacekeeping forces,” Dino said.

Moreover, the two countries will share their experience in combating terrorism. France is expected to invest in creative economy i.e. digital community and cinematography. Dino said that the volume of trade between Indonesia and France is valued at US$2.36 billion.

President Holland is also slated to attend several events outside the state visit, such as the launch of creative economy cooperation at Harris Vertu Hotel in Jakarta and a dialogue on maritime affairs between Indonesia and France at the Marine and Fishery Ministry building.

ANTARA