REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo has hailed Bulgaria's wish to act a bridge between Asia and Europe, especially for promoting business interests.

The president made the statement while receiving visiting Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov and his delegation at a meeting at the Merdeka Palace here on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who accompanied President Widodo at the meeting, stated that Bulgaria hoped to serve as a bridge for building relations between Asia and Europe.

"Bulgaria is one of the European Union member countries, which is closest to Asia, and therefore, it is optimistic of functioning as a bridge between Asia and Europe," she emphasized.

Marsudi remarked that the country lauded Bulgaria's "East Work Policy" to intensify its relations with Asia, and Indonesia has been one of its priorities.

"The president hails the policy of Bulgaria's president," she noted.

At the meeting, President Widodo shed light on the country's economy that grew 5.04 percent last year.

He also spoke at length about infrastructure development in the country.

At the meeting, the two countries expressed their commitment to enhancing relations, especially in the economic field.

"Bulgaria is Indonesia's ninth-largest trade partner in Eastern and Central Europe. The potential is huge, but trade figures are still small, and so, there is still room for development," he added.

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