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Following the consultations, a package of documents on cooperation was signed in the presence of the two presidents.

The package includes an agreement on defence cooperation between the Russian Government and the Indonesian Government. The parties also signed a memorandum on mutual understanding in archival cooperation between the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and their respective archives; a cultural cooperation programme for 2016–2018 between the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, and a joint statement on mutual understanding and cooperation in preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and ensuring sustainable fisheries management.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, allow me to welcome you here.

It is a great pleasure to see you in Russia, in Sochi. Sochi is a place of special significance if we recall that exactly 60 years ago, Indonesia’s first President, Mr Sukarno, who was a great friend of this country, visited this city.

I know that to some extent you see yourself as a successor of his policies. It is very good that we will have the chance during this visit to discuss not only the situation in the region, but also our bilateral relations.

The processes underway in the global economy have affected our relations as well, resulting in a slight drop last year, but we see that the trend is changing this year.

I have fond memories of my visit to your country and the positive atmosphere created for our delegation on that visit. I hope that we will be able to reciprocate with our Russian hospitality during your visit.

Welcome!

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (retranslated): Thank you, Mr Putin, for the warm welcome. We are pleased to be in Russia.

For me, the history of our relations, which started with President Sukarno, means quite a lot, and I would like for the relations between our countries in the economy, politics and culture to expand.

With regard to trade, we need to look for new ways to boost exports of palm oil from Indonesia to Russia in the near future.

Mr President, you are aware of the plans to increase the import tax on palm oil. Palm oil is the largest export item from Indonesia to Russia, reaching $480 million. Exports have fallen sharply, which is bad for our country’s economy.

I hope that your policies, Mr President, will help ensure that Indonesian palm oil exports to Russia will increase in the near future.

Besides, Mr President, Russia is a good friend of Indonesia. The Embassy and the residence of the Ambassador of Indonesia are located in a building that is part of Russia’s cultural heritage.

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