Jokowi, South African President Sign MoU on Free Visa Policy
8 March 2017 20:36 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, met with South African President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma at the State Palace on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. The meeting was held following a bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
During the meeting, President Jokowi signed three memorandums of understanding (MoU) on cooperation on diplomatic training and education, free visa, and the Indonesia-Africa strategic plan.
President Jokowi explained that the free visa policy would only apply to diplomatic passport holders and for official affairs. President Jokowi revealed that the follow-up to the cooperation would be conducted soon. Within two months, Jokowi will send ministers to South Africa to realize the plan.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi explained that the free visa policy was aimed at facilitating Indonesian diplomats to conduct their overseas working visits. Retno added that the MoUs on free visa policy and diplomatic training and education are interrelated. With a free visa, it would be easier for Indonesian diplomats to conduct diplomatic training with other foreign diplomats.
"Since we have a good diplomatic training and education center, we often conduct cooperation related to diplomatic training with other countries," Retno said.
ISTMAN M.P.