President of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will receive Italian President Sergio Mattarella at Istana Merdeka, here, Monday afternoon.

Based on a schedule released by the Presidential Palaces Press Bureau, Monday, President Jokowi will receive the Italian president in a state welcome ceremony at 4 p.m. local time.

The welcome ceremony will be followed by a bilateral meeting between the Indonesian and Italian delegations at 4:40 p.m. local time.

At 5:25 p.m. local time, both delegates will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU), and a press statement will be released thereafter. 

Earlier, on Thursday (November 5), Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir had stated that Mattarellas visit is a historic event. For the first time, an Italian leader is visiting Indonesia after both countries established diplomatic relations in 1949.

Nasir revealed that the main objective of President Mattarellas visit is to boost Indonesia-Italy economic cooperation.

During the visit, President Mattarella is accompanied by 28 Italian businessmen engaged in several sectors, such as maritime, infrastructure, banking, and energy, Nasir revealed.

In the bilateral meeting, both presidents are expected ti also discuss about the market of Indonesias Crude Palm Oil (CPO) products in Italy.

According to Nasir, Italy supports an increase in the exports of Indonesias CPO to Italy despite a rampant negative campaign in some European countries against Indonesias CPO.

Moreover, two MoUs will be signed during the meeting between President Jokowi and President Mattarella. The first MoU concerns free visa policy for diplomatic passport holders or government officials and the second relates to increasing tourism cooperation.

In addition, President Jokowi is scheduled to receive newly elected Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday (November 12).

According to Nasir, the main objective of Turnbulls visit is to strengthen the foundation of Indonesia-Australia relations, discuss economic cooperation, and boost people-to-people contact.

The meeting will focus on increasing cooperation in the maritime, education, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Both countries have also expressed their joint commitment to enhance South-South cooperation and increase participation in peacekeeping operations.
 

Source: ANTARA