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EAEU-Indonesia free trade area talks to start after G20 summit — ambassador

According to Jose Tavares, Indonesia considers cooperation with the EAEU very important

MOSCOW, October 21. /TASS/. Negotiations to conclude a free trade area agreement between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will begin after the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesian ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares said in an interview with TASS.

"Actually, we have we have already finalized a feasibility study between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union and we hope that negotiations for the free trade area can start in the near future. I presume it will be after the G20 summit. Our negotiation for the free trade area will commence," he said.

According to Tavares, Indonesia considers cooperation with the EAEU very important. He also added that the free trade zone agreement has many mutual advantages.

Tavares also noted that Indonesia may fully join the BRICS format. "I hear my president spoke for it (full membership in the integration -TASS) during the BRICS summit. There is a possibility for Indonesia to fully join BRICS," he said, adding though that the embassy had not yet received any additional information on that. Speaking about the advantages that Indonesia sees for itself in BRICS membership, the diplomat mentioned joining its development bank as one of pluses.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Alexander Pankin told TASS in an interview that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is considering an opportunity of establishing free trade zones with Indonesia and Mongolia. "Joint research groups are currently formed to examine feasibility of making free trade agreements with Indonesia and Mongolia," the diplomat said.

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