Key will meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and McClay will hold talks with Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, McClay said.
Advertisement
Mr Key and President Widodo also agreed to work together more closely in tourism, and to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and promote sustainable fisheries governance.
A World Trade Organisation panel is due to make a ruling on the long-running disagreement before the end of the year but Prime Minister John Key, who met with the Indonesian president last night, said the issue was likely to be put to rest before that.
Mr Key is in Indonesia on a whirlwind two-day visit aimed at boosting ties between the two countries.
Mr Key and President Widodo discussed a wide range of issues, including the regional economy, the South China Sea, counter-terrorism efforts, people-smuggling, the situation in Papua and broader human rights issues.
And he’s hopeful the matter will be resolved before the World Trade Organisation comes back with its decision on New Zealand’s challenge to Indonesia’s prohibitive trade rules.
Indonesia’s import restrictions on beef products have been a stumbling block in its relationship with New Zealand.
“The partnership between Indonesia and New Zealand is very critical from our perspective, Key said in his opening remarks at a business forum in Jakarta”.
President Widodo said their meeting was very friendly and they were both very focused on increasing trade.
“I feel exceedingly confident that we are going to get there”, he said.
“Both parties, we agree to strengthen the breeding cattle co-operation, and also those related with beef”, he said.
Today we signed a renewable energy and energy conservation agreement which will see New Zealand assist Indonesia in its ambition to increase renewable energy to 25 per cent of its total energy supply by 2025.
“Today is John Key’s chance to do the right thing and speak up for the West Papuan people whose legitimate concerns are not being heard”, said Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty.
Since 2012 the two countries have been locked in an increasingly hard dispute over beef exports from New Zealand.
Mr Key didn’t know how many cattle could be sent to Indonesia, or when exports could start.
Advertisement
NZ now exports about 8000 tonnes to Indonesia.
