TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) flies to Sydney, Australia today, March 16, to attend ASEAN-Australia Summit. The meeting will discuss the economy partnership development and counter-terrorism act between ASEAN and Australia.

During his visit to Australia, Jokowi is also scheduled to meet PM Malcolm Turnbull who presents at CEOs forum and counter-terrorism conference. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution explained Jokowi will bring up Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IA-CEPA) agreement into the discussion. Furthermore, according to Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Jokowi will also discuss the trade agreement on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

From Sydney, Jokowi is scheduled to visit Wellington, New Zealand, to meet the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

“The visit marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relation between Indonesia and New Zealand. President Jokowi will hold a bilateral meeting with PM Ardern and New Zealand Governor-General as well as many CEOs in a business forum,” said Palace Press Bureau head Bey Machmudin, Friday, March 16.

The President and First Lady Iriana will be accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Investment Coordinating Board Head Thomas Lembong, Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono, Foreign Ministry’s Director General for Protocol and Consular Affairs Andri Hadi, Presidential Special Staff Sukardi Rinakit, Presidential Military Secretary Marshal Trisno Hendradi, and Presidential Security Force Commander Major General Suhartono.

Jokowi and the team are planned to head back Indonesia on Tuesday morning, March 20, 2018.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI