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Xinhua (16 September 2019)

SOFIA

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov here on Monday for talks on ways to expand bilateral ties.

In the first four months of 2019, trade turnover between Bulgaria and Indonesia was worth 130.5 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 322 percent year-on-year. Marsudi and Radev agreed that this upward trend is a good basis for expanding bilateral relations in more sectors, Radev's press office said in a statement.

The two politicians also agreed that the information technology, agriculture, tourism and education sectors have great potential for further deepening bilateral cooperation, the statement said.

It was emphasized at the meeting that in addition to strengthening economic ties, it is important to stimulate cultural and educational exchanges as well as tourism, the statement added.

"Bulgaria appreciates its friendly relations with Indonesia; you are our priority partner in southeast Asia," Borissov told Marsudi earlier on Monday, according to his press office.

The prime minister stressed that it was the first visit by an Indonesian foreign minister to Bulgaria in 25 years, and expressed hope that it would give further impetus to the development of bilateral ties, Borissov's press office said.

On Sunday, Marsudi met with her Bulgarian counterpart, Ekaterina Zaharieva, and they agreed to intensify cooperation in all areas, the press office of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said.

Bulgarian ports can become a gateway for Indonesian products to the European markets, Zaharieva said, according to her press office.

"Bulgaria and the countries of central and eastern Europe have a huge potential. Our aim is to improve our relations with Bulgaria," Marsudi said.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/17/c_138396435.htm