Indonesia, Finland sign cooperation in environmental matters

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Finland here Monday signed an agreement to cooperate in the environmental field and in anticipation of climate change as a follow-up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which was held in Bali last year.
The agreement was signed by Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar and his Finnish counterpart, Paavo Vayrynen, in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Merdeka Palace here on Monday.
"Cooperation in environmental issues between Indonesia and Finland is a follow-up to the Bali conference on climate change last year," President Yudhoyono said at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart, Tarja Halonen.
Yudhoyono said Indonesia and Finland had so far been cooperating in the forestry and environment fields but with the signing of the agreement on Monday, the two countries were expected to collaborate even more closely.
Meanwhile, the Finnish president who is on a state visit from Saturday until Tuesday, said the two countries would continue to step up their cooperative relations.
"The Bali conference on climate change was a good momentum for us to forge further cooperation in sustainable development programs," Holonen said.
She said under the newly-signed agreement the two countries would make joint efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission and global warming.
The Finnish president on Monday morning also laid a wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes` Cemetery in south Jakarta.
Following the meeting with Yudhoyono, Halonen who was accompanies by her husband, Dr Pentti Arajarvi, was scheduled to meet Indonesian House Speaker Agung Laksono at the parliament Building.
On Monday afternoon, she would meet Indonesian Vice President M Jusuf Kalla.
On Tuesday, Tarja Halonen would fly to Aceh province to observe the results of infrastructure reconstruction efforts and the province`s socio-economic recovery from the devastating 2004 tsunami.(*) END

• President Yudhoyono receives President Halonen