Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is one of the safest nations in the world, according to Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos.

"For us, Indonesia is one of the safest nations," Kammenos said after a courtesy call on Vice President Jusuf Kalla here on Thursday.

Witnessing the conducive security situation, the Greek minister said he did not hesitate to invite investors from his country to invest in Indonesia.

"We also open the door for Indonesia and the Asian markets," Kammenos said at the office of the vice president at the Presidential Palace complex.

He said he looked to Indonesia as one of the most populous countries in the world that is strategic for Greece.

According to him, the cooperation between Indonesia and Greece is not only in the field of defense and security but also in business and agriculture.

"Indonesia and Greece had also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the agricultural sector," Kammenos said.

At the meeting with Kalla, he also expressed the desire of his country to cooperate with Indonesia in the field of tourism.

The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Greece was established in 1960; however, it was not until the 1990s that both the nations finally established resident ambassadors and embassies in each respective country.

The embassy of Indonesia in Athens was opened in 1994, while the embassy of Greece in Jakarta was opened in 1997.

A few dozen Greeks reside in Indonesia, mostly in Jakarta and Bali, and most of them are freelance professionals.

Indonesia and Greece share similarities too; both are democratic and archipelagic nations and both possess notable archaeological sites.

Therefore, in addition to the cooperation in politics, maritime transportation and shipping, other potential areas to be explored include culture and tourism industry.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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