REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia and New Zealand will collaborate on geothermal energy projects as both sides concern over climate change and environmental issues. Cooperation on energy sector was discussed on the fifth annual Joint Ministerial Commission meeting between Indonesian and New Zealand. The meeting was a follow up of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key visit to Indonesia last April.

Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marty Natalegawa, said the cooperation was made for environmental and energy interest. "There is a long history of cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand on geothermal energy, but that climate change had brought the issue to the forefront of both governments’ attention," Natalegawa said on Tuesday on the press conference with his New Zealand counterpart, Murray McCully.

He explained that two New Zealand backed geothermal energy projects were launched in Sumatra and Sulawesi. For future plan, universities and other institution will be invited to seek for renewable energy.

Apart from energy, other issues such as agriculture also emerged. Both agreed to develop daily products and provide quarantine service. On people to people, both have signed exchange of letters which give Indonesian students and workers opportunities to work and study in New Zealand.

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