RI, PERU AGREE ON DRAFT TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION ACCORD

Jakarta, June 5 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Peru agreed on a draft technical and economic cooperation agreement in a bilateral consultation meeting in Peru at the weekend.

The two nations would sign the agreement at the first chance after each other's domestic procedures had been met, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The Indonesian delegation to the meeting was led by the ministry's director general of American and European affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi and the Peruvian delegation was chaired by sub-secretary for Asia, Pacific Basin, Africa and Middle East
affairs at the Peruvian foreign ministry Willian Belevan Mc Bride.

In the first bilateral consultation meeting, the two delegations also discussed the domestic situation in each other's countries, the current status of bilateral relations, potentials of future cooperation and a wide range of regional and international issues, the statement said.

It said the close ties between the two countries in the political field was reflected among others by their mutual support in international fora.

Peru had thrown its weight behind Indonesia's bids for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2007-2008 and membership of the Human Rights Council in 2007-2010, it said.

Two-way trade between Indonesia and Peru reached US$86 million in 2008, a 22 percent increase from a year earlier.

Indonesia enjoyed a surplus of US$11 million in its trade with Peru in 2008 compared to US$15 million the year before.

Indonesia's key exports to Peru include radio tape, printers, natural rubber, glass, computers, video cameras, textile, garments and paper while its imports from the Latin American country cover fish powder, fish oil and fresh grape.

So far, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral consultation, education and training and parliamentary friendship.

In the consultation meeting, the two delegations also agreed to accomplish a number of MoU including on trade promotion, investament protection and promotion, fishery and agriculture.

In addition, they also exchanged views on ASEAN, APEC, FEALAC and Forest 11 (F-11).

The two countries also agreed to hold a bilateral consultation meeting in Indonesia next year.***2***
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