Brussels (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said he hoped for immediate realization of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union.

"I hope negotiation could start soon. Indonesia is ready for negotiations.CEPA would make the economy open the wider and more competitive," President Jokowi said in a joint statement with President of European Commission Jean Claude Juncker here on Thursday.

He said German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron, he met earlier, agreed with immediate negotiations on CEPA.

CEPA would strengthen the economy of Indonesia and the European Union, he said.

"Indonesia and the European Union have moved a step forward," he said.

Jokowi said he also discussed with Juncker proposal for recognition of Indonesian timber having legality verification in trade, and other international issues related to radicalism and terrorism.

"Indonesia is a reflection of Islam, democracy and tolerance that could go in harmony," he said.

As the worlds largest Muslim country, Indonesia has a commitment to promote democracy and tolerance, he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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