On July 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with visiting Indonesian President-elect (and the current Defense Minister) Prabowo Subianto, and focused their discussion substantially on economic cooperation between the two nations, including on nuclear energy. The Kremlin site reports that Putin opened their discussion by emphasizing the importance of the strong, historic ties between the two countries, noting that Indonesia has a population of nearly 300 million people, making it the fourth most populous nation on the planet.
Referring to the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Putin stated: “We also hope that the draft agreement on the EAEU-Indonesia free trade zone, which is ready for signing, will play a positive and substantial role in the development of our trade and economic ties. The EAEU market is very big. The market of Indonesia, with a population of nearly 300 million, is of substantial interest to Russia as well. We are ready to further increase agricultural deliveries and implement investment projects in energy, transport and infrastructure.”
Subianto thanked Putin, stating: “As you know, we consider Russia as a great friend. And I would like to continue to maintain and enhance this relationship. In our history, we remember that Russia has always helped us in many aspects. When we were in difficulties, Russia helped us. Although at that time it was, of course, the Soviet Union. If you come to Jakarta today, many of the big infrastructure [facilities] were built by Russians, by the Soviet Union. Our parliament house, our national congress, our national stadium, our national monument, our first highway, many bridges in many parts of Indonesia were built by, at that time, the Soviet Union. You also helped us build up our military forces when we were under threat. This is something that we inherit from our parents, that we must never forget those who help us.”
