REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia and Japan agreed to continue to strengthen their cooperation in trade and investment.

"Economic cooperation is part of the natural Indonesia-Japan relationship," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said following a meeting with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday (Sept 20), according to a press statement received here on Wednesday.

The two ministers had discussed various investment cooperation projects in Indonesia, including in port development, mining and automotive sector.

They also discussed efforts to increase trade and investment in the context of "Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement," especially with regard to market access for Indonesian agricultural produce to Japan.

"The current slowdown in the global economy will not reduce efforts by Indonesia and Japan to continue to increase their cooperation in trade and investment projects," Minister Retno added.

Japan was Indonesia's second biggest trade partner for the first semester this year with trade volume reaching US$14.2 billion.

Japan is also Indonesia's key investment partner, with its investment in the country reaching US$2.9 billion.

Besides economic cooperation, the two ministers also discussed ways to follow up on the Indonesia-Japan 2+2 Forum meeting in December 2015, especially in the field of defense that will contribute to regional security.

"The 2+2 forum between the two countries' ministers of foreign affairs and defense is very important, not only for increasing the capacity of the two countries' armed forces but also because it will contribute to regional peace and stability," Retno stated.

The two ministers also discussed developments in the region, including the Korean Peninsula, South China Sea and Sulu waters.

They agreed that all parties must strive to contribute towards reducing tensions in the region and maintaining peace and stability.

"Indonesia's position over the security issue in the region is clear. The country will keep contributing and hopes that other countries in the region will also contribute towards maintaining security, peace and stability," she noted.

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