joko widodo putin
© State Palace Press Photo/IntanPresident Joko Widodo meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at his official residence, Bocharov Rucey, in Sochi, Southern Russia, Wednesday (18/05)
President Joko Widodo kicked off his Russian tour by meeting President Vladimir Putin at his official residence in Sochi, Southern Russia, before attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Russia Summit 2016 in the city.

In the meeting, the Indonesian president praised his Russian counterpart's constructive policy on palm oil trade, as Indonesia's palm oil export to Russia reached over $480 million in 2015.

"I hope the policy can be sustained, it will be good for Indonesia's palm oil export [to Russia]," Joko said.

President Joko also hoped Russia will allow the Indonesian government to purchase a property in Moscow, to be converted into the Indonesian Embassy for Russia and the official residence of the ambassador.

Economic, defense and security partnerships

An Indonesian delegation also met with their Russian counterparts in a bilateral meeting to discuss economic, defense and security partnerships which will boost trade between the two countries.

"Indonesia and Russia are both members of the G20, and as such we both want to contribute to the recovery of the global economy," Joko said, while pointing out that there has been a 25 percent decline in trade between Indonesia and Russia, from $2.64 billion in 2014 to $1.98 billion in 2015.

In response, Joko and Putin have now agreed to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers, especially for palm oil, fish and farming products. Both countries will also offer more opportunities for direct contacts and trades between Indonesian and Russian companies.

The Indonesian government is also urging Russia to invest in an aluminum smelter in West Kalimantan and in construction of new sea ports and shipping yards.

On the defense sector, both presidents agreed to boost exchange of intelligence data to fight terrorism and hold joint military trainings and exercises.

The Indonesian president also underlined the urgent need for weapon technology transfer and joint production, starting with opening an Indonesian-based service and repair center for Russian-made weapons that the Indonesian military has purchased.

At the end of the meeting, the Indonesian president invited President Putin to make a return visit to Indonesia.