Samoa Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has held a bilateral meeting with Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
In the meeting, Minister Retno stated some areas of bilateral cooperation that can be improved, among others agriculture, fishery, tourism and natural disasters management.
Both Foreign Ministers also discussed about capacity building cooperation in the field of information, communication and technology.
"Indonesia is ready to assist Samoa by facilitating various technical trainings and capacity building in the field of information, communication and technology," said Retno in a statement released by the Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She also welcomed the visit of several Samoan senior officials to Indonesia recently, among others, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Leuatea Polataivao Fossie Schmidt Laauli, and the Minister of Communication, Information and Technology Afanasaga Lepuiai Rico Tupai.
In particular, Minister Retno appreciated the presence of Minister Rico Tupai during the commemoration of the 72nd Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, and healthy walk for the anniversary of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Retno affirmed the need for a meeting between senior officials of both countries, which is expected to further promote cooperation in various sectors, especially trade and investment.
Minister Retno conveyed Indonesia's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2019-2020. In response, Minister Malielegaoi regarded Indonesia as a country playing an active role and contributing to maintain peace in the region and the world.
In addition, Minister Retno also emphasized the importance of inter-community relations in encouraging increased cooperation between Indonesia and Samoa. She invited the young generation of Samoan to participate in the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship program. "This program will help to improve mutual understanding not only among the young generation of Indonesia and Samoa, but also the young generation in the region," she added.
Photo by Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Caption Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi met the Foreign Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly in New York, United States (18/9).