REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who returned from his tour of European nations, said on Saturday that Europe appreciates Indonesia's role in promoting world peace.

"Europe has appreciation for and high hopes of the Indonesian role in promoting peace through pushing for a moderate, democratic and tolerant Islam," Jokowi said upon his arrival from Europe at a press conference he addressed at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport here on Saturday evening.

The president said the moderate of Islam that Indonesia has is an important diplomatic asset for the country in the eyes of the international community.

The president also informed that the European Union positively welcomes Indonesia's move towards economic policy deregulation.

In his meeting with European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, President Jokowi expressed the hope that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations would begin soon. Indonesia is ready to join these talks in line with its commitment to make the economy more open and competitive.

In the meantime, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said the President also met with many chief executive officers (CEOs) of European companies.

In Berlin, the president met with the CEOs of Mayer Werf GambH & Co KG, Ferrostadt GambH and Bayer.

Indonesian and British firms also signed business agreements worth US$19.02 billion.

The Indonesian Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) also signed four business agreements worth US$606 million during the Indonesia-Netherlands Business Forum in the Hague on Friday.

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