Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and his Indonesian colleague Marty Natalegawa agreed to form a joint commission on Wednesday, paving the way for increased cooperation in areas of mutual interest to the two resource-rich countries.
Following talks in Jakarta on greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation in Indonesia and other issues, the ministers signed a so-called memorandum of understanding. Few details on the substance of the talks and agreements were immediately available, but Eide’s visit to Indonesia was part of a general strengthening of Norway’s ties to Southeast Asia, and followed similar visits to Brunei and Malaysia earlier this week.
Eide also had breakfast with the growing Norwegian business community in Indonesia and attended the formal opening of shipping firm Høegh LNG’s new Jakarta office along with Indonesian officials. Ragnar Wisløff, head of Höegh LNG Asia (left in photo below), introduced his operation to Eide and Edy Hermantoro (center), director of Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
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PHOTOS: Utenriksdepartementet/Astrid Sehl
