RI, Libya boosts relationship through agreements

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 03/24/2009 3:52 PM

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Tuesday that Indonesia has signed three agreements with Libya, boosting the two country's relationship.

Wirajuda said that during a bilateral meeting in Yogyakarta both countries signed agreements on political consultation, social welfare and establishing a bilateral joint commission.

The minister said both countries were seeking a more intensive economic relationship.

“Our trade with Libya is worth US$400 million, while Indonesian companies have more than $1 billion worth of projects in Libya,” he said as quoted by state news agency Antara.

Wirajuda said the numbers were far from what both countries could actually come together with.

Last year, Libya and Indonesia signed a deal for the North African state to supply the country with crude oil for the next 20 years. Under the agreement, Tripoli will supply Jakarta with a minimum of 50,000 barrels per day, a figure to rise to 200,000 barrels per day from 2013.

Wirajuda said Indonesia would send its Trade Minister to visit Libya in early April.

“We are hoping to sign further trade agreements during the visit,” he said. (dre)