JAKARTA (Sputnik) – Speaking in the follow-up to the negotiations with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi, Lavrov said that the proposal on creating an EAUE-Indonesia free trade zone is under consideration.
"Indonesia shows interest in starting negotiations on creating a free trade zone with this union [EAEU]. The relevant proposal has been introduced and is now being considered. Russia backs it," Lavrov said.
Lavrov also discussed with Marsuri the idea of extending EAEU contacts by engaging the union in events conducted by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member states.
In January 2016, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said Indonesia and the EAEU could enter talks on introducing a free trade zone, but also mentioned that the issue required a detailed, joint examination with EAEU member states.
The Eurasian Economic Union is a Russia-led bloc, comprising Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia, and aimed at developing intraregional economic ties and establishing the free flow of goods among its members.
