Indonesia, Japan Discuss South-South Cooperation Development

Jakarta, Apr 22 (Antara) - Indonesia and Japan have agreed to boost South-South cooperation to improve the economy and welfare of Asian and African countries. Following a meeting between President Joko Widodo and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Indonesia's Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto stated in a text message to newsmen here on Wednesday that the two leaders agreed to step up their countries' contribution towards developing the South-South cooperation. "Discussion during the bilateral talk with Japan was about developing the South-South cooperation to improve the stability and welfare of Asian and African countries and their people." he said. He noted that Japan shares Indonesia's view on a need for reform in the international political architecture, especially at the UN. Prime Minister Abe and President Joko Widodo discussed a number of issues related to the cooperation between the two countries, such as investments in export-oriented industries, energy and maritime cooperation, and the implementation of the visa-free facility by Japan. "They discussed cooperation in the field of defense and handling of tsunami and also initiated a World Tsunami Day," he added. In the meeting, President Joko Widodo was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Sofyan Djalil, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel, and Andi Widjajanto. ***2***