OSLO: Indonesias Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has been visiting Norway, since August 18, to explore closer bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector.
The minister, whose visit concludes today, is being accompanied by Indonesias Ambassador to Norway, Yuwono A. Putranto, and took part in numerous engagements in Oslo and Trondheim, Hartyo Harmokoyo, the First Secretary of the Indonesian embassy in Norway, told the ANTARA News correspondent in London.
Accompanied by Aquaculture Director General, Slamet Soebjakto, and the Head of Indonesias Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) Task Force, Mas Achmad Santoro, Minister Pudjiastuti held a meeting with Norwegian Fishery Minister Elisabeth Aspaker to discuss cooperation in aquaculture, sustainable fisheries and IUUF.
Minister Aspaker said Indonesia should benefit from the free import tariffs imposed on fishery products offered by Norway.
She added that Norway is ready to intensify cooperation in the fisheries with Indonesia, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
The two ministers also discussed a proposal to establish a Bilateral Consultation Forum on fishery issues, as a follow up to talks between Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and her Norwegian counterpart, Borge Brende during the First Joint Bilateral Cooperation Commission between Indonesia and Norway, held in Oslo last June.
Minister Pudjiastuti also spoke at a seminar entitled, “20 Years Anniversary Celebration – The Code of Conduct and Aquaculture,” organized during the Aqua Nor expo.
We want to better preserve the oceans, but at the same time increase the fish production,” she said.
Minister Aspaker is expected to visit Indonesia in November 2015.
