Jakarta, Indonesia, 5 August 2014
- Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr. R. M. Marty M. Natalegawa and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird, met at Gedung Pancasila, Jakarta, on 5 August 2014 for the 4th Bilateral Consultative Forum between the Republic of Indonesia and Canada.
- The ministers agreed to expand bilateral engagement through increased trade, investment, economic, and development cooperation; through strengthened political, democratic governance, security cooperation; through enhanced collaboration on socio-cultural, education, people-to-people contacts. They welcomed parliamentary exchanges. Ministers also reiterated their governments’ mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- The ministers engaged actively on a range of contemporary international issues and regional conflicts, including the fight against terrorism, South China Sea, Ukraine, Middle East, APEC, UN, Global Counterterrorism Forum, UN Alliance of Civilizations and Bali Democracy Forum. They emphasized the need to promote human rights, including the rights of women, children and disabled persons.
- The ministers launched a roadmap towards a future comprehensive partnership, in the form of a plan of action for the period of 2014-2019, to enhance mutual cooperation for the achievement of more results-oriented and measurable goals.
- Canada congratulated Indonesia on its successful third direct presidential election on 9 July 2014. Indonesia succeeded in holding this election confirms its prominent role as a model of democracy.
- The ministers acknowledged the importance of the private sector’s role in boosting bilateral economic cooperation. Ministers highlighted the importance of a mutually beneficial bilateral trade, and of maintaining an open and stable investment environment. Ministers welcomed the organization of the first Commercial Dialogue attended by business representatives of both countries.
- The ministers noted that Indonesia remains a country of focus for Canada’s bilateral development cooperation program. They committed to explore possibilities for policy dialogue and programming cooperation in the area of development and humanitarian assistance. Minister Natalegawa also highlighted Indonesia’s successes in its South-South and Triangular Cooperation programs.
- The ministers looked forward to the visit of Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom to Indonesia in 2015. They discussed the importance of religious tolerance and concurred that interfaith dialogue creates better understanding between religions and cultures in both countries.
- The ministers stressed the importance of fostering closer cooperation in education, including through the expansion of partnerships between universities and community colleges.
- The ministers underlined the important role played by ASEAN in securing long-term prosperity and security. Indonesia welcomed Canada’s continued engagement with ASEAN and its recognition of the importance of the East Asia Summit process.
- The 5th Bilateral Consultative Forum will be held in Canada in 2015 or as appropriate.
Jakarta, 5 August 2014
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