Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo received Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, after leading several sessions of the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).

Prime Minister Trudeau arrived at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta around 17:00 WIB. Prime Minister Trudeau was welcomed by President Joko Widodo on the terrace of Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, during an honorary ceremony.

President Jokowi and Prime Minister Trudeau then had a private conversation on the veranda behind Merdeka Palace and then held a bilateral meeting.

In his introduction to the bilateral meeting, President Widodo expressed hope that the ASEAN-Canada strategic partnership would strengthen regional cooperation with Canada.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday 6/9), the ASEAN-Canada strategic partnership will be launched. I hope it will strengthen cooperation between us,” said Joko Widodo.

President Widodo also said he wanted to discuss a number of issues, including trade and investment.

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“I am very happy that the value of our trade will increase by 37 percent in 2022 and exceed the pandemic level,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his gratitude to Indonesia as once again Canada was involved in its ASEAN chairmanship.

According to him, the launch of the ASEAN-Canada strategic partnership is very important for Canada and the region.

“Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world and Indonesia’s leadership in these developing countries is extraordinary,” said Prime Minister Trudeau.

Canada has seen considerable growth in its bilateral relations with ASEAN countries in recent years.

However, according to him, there is still much to be done to generate good growth, good jobs and good opportunities for the people of ASEAN and Canada.

Trudeau also expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome given to the Canadian basketball team in Indonesia, when the Canadian team participated in the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup at the Indonesia Arena, in the Gelora Bung Karno area, Jakarta, some time ago.

According to him, this is an extraordinary example of the close ties that unite Canada with Indonesia.

Trudeau also said he looked forward to discussions at the ASEAN-Canada summit on several major issues important to geopolitics.

He pointed out that Indonesia has so far demonstrated its ability to unite the world through its G20 presidency and tackle major issues.

He expressed Canada’s hopes for Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN.

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