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Russia, Indonesia sign agreement on defense cooperation, other documents

Vladimir Putin has noted that the volume of investment in oil refinery construction in Indonesia with the participation of Russia's Rosneft could reach $13 bln
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo Mikhail Metzel/TASS
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo
© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

SOCHI, May 18. /TASS/. Russia and Indonesia have signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in defense.

The document was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The signing ceremony took place at the end of bilateral summit talks.

The two countries' Foreign Ministries also signed a memorandum of mutual understanding and cooperation. One more such memorandum was signed by the Russian Federal Agency for Archives and the National Archives of Indonesia.

In addition to it, the sides have endorsed a program of cultural cooperation for the period of 2016 through 2018 and a joint statement between Russia’s Federal Agency for Fisheries and the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on prevention of the illegal, unreported and unregulated production of live marine resources and on ensuring steady regulation of the fishing industry.

Oil refinery construction in Indonesia

Vladimir Putin has noted that the volume of investment in oil refinery construction in Indonesia with the participation of Rosneft could reach $13 bln.

"Our companies Zarubezhneft, Rosneft have specific, serious large-scale projects," he said. "That includes construction of a modern oil refinery with possible investment in the amount of $13 bln," he added.

Rosneft plans to construct the refinery in the eastern part of the Indonesian island of Java.

According to the Russian leader, there is groundwork for expanding energy cooperation. Putin said construction of a thermal power plant with the help of Inter RAO with a capacity of 1.8 GW is also planned. The investment volume will amount to $2.8 bln. "Rosatom is currently working on the construction of the experimental low-power reactor," he said.

Indonesia-EAEU free trade zone

The two leaders have also discussed the issue of setting up a free trade zone between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU, which comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan).

While summing up results of Wednesday's talks, the head of Russia's state described them as very useful and successful.

"[We] discussed the whole range of bilateral agenda, mapped out tasks for further development of Russian-Indonesian cooperation," the Russian leader said.

According to Putin, "Russia and Indonesia are linked with long-standing and close relations."

Russia ready to assist Indonesia in implementation of infrastructural programs

According to Putin, Russia is ready to provide comprehensive assistance to Indonesia in implementation of infrastructural programs.

"A large-scale regional infrastructural program is implemented under patronage of Mr. Widodo," Putin said. "Russia is ready to render comprehensive assistance to Indonesian partners in implementation of this program" he added.

A joint project of Russian Railways and Indonesia launched last year to build an approximately 190 km long railway on the Kalimantan Island is the most significant in this context, the Russian leader said. "The railway will connect a resources-rich part of the island with a new port and an industry cluster where production and processing plants will be developed, also with participation of the Russian capital," Putin said. Development of coal, ferronickel, manganese dioxide and other deposits is planned, he added.

Russian companies are also ready to supply hydrofoil ships and twin-hulled craft to Indonesia, Putin said.

Exchange of intelligence data

According to President Joko Widodo, Russia and Indonesia are going to expand cooperation in the sphere of intelligence data exchanges in order to rebuff the terrorist threat.

"President Putin and I agreed on consolidation of ties in defense technologies," he said. "We came to an agreement on a transfer of technologies and we’ll be looking at opportunities to streamline their joint manufacturing."

"Also, we are interested in boosting ties in the training of cadres and education," Widodo said.

"We have interest in promoting cooperation as regards the elimination of challenges and threats, in the first place terrorism." Widodo said. "We reached agreement on exchanges of intelligence data and on a broadening of contacts between other state security agencies."

Efforts against terrorism

The presidents have agreed to coordinate efforts in the field of counteraction to terrorism.

"President (Widodo) and I looked at the regional and global problems,' Putin said. "Our discussion included counteraction to terrorism and extremism. Our countries are coordinating efforts in struggle with these threats."

He also told the reporters about an agreement on expanding contacts between the Russian and Indonesian Defense Ministry and national security organizations.

"Our countries continue collaboration in the format of the UN, the Group of Twenty, APEC, the Islamic Conference Organization and, quite naturally in the framework of the Russian-ASEAN partnership dialogue," Putin said.

Visa procedures

According to the Russian president, Russia and Indonesia are working out the possibility to further streamline visa procedures.

"Last year, the Indonesian side imposed a 30-day visa-free regime for Russians. The possibility to conclude an intergovernmental agreement on mutual simplification of visa procedures is being worked out," Putin said.