Indonesia: First visit by French president in 30 years

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hailed a one-day visit by French President Francois Hollande Wednesday as a momentous event.

"This visit is historic, as for nearly 31 years there has never been a visit by a French president to Indonesia," said Jokowi in a joint press statement in Jakarta’s State Palace.

The last visit by a French head of state was in 1986, when President Francois Mitterrand visited.

Jokowi said the two countries have similar views on some international issues, including solving the Israeli-Palestinian issue through the concept of a two-state solution.

The countries also agreed on battling extremism and terrorism by conveying messages of religious tolerance and eliminating xenophobia.

The two sides signed agreements in five areas including defense, sustainable urban development, research, fisheries and marine, and tourism.

Hollande, whose term in office ends this May, said he hoped the cooperation would have a positive impact on relations between the two countries, which he called "great democratic powers.”