Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) shakes hands with French President Francois Hollande after a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)
JAKARTA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo received on Wednesday the official state visit of French President Francois Hollande here at the presidential palace, witnessing the signings of documents to further expand bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Upon his arrival in the palace here, Hollande was welcomed with official state ceremony presided over by Widodo to honor state guests.
During the ceremony, Hollande, who brought along his key ministers in the visit, received 21-time honorary salvo shot from military canons placed at the palace to welcome him.
At a joint press conference held after a closed-door meeting between the two, Hollande, praised the warm welcome demonstrated for a French president visiting Indonesia after 30 years.
The last visit of French president in Indonesia was paid by Francois Miterrand in 1986, received by then Indonesian president Soeharto.
At the palace, the two presidents witnessed the signings of documents to boost bilateral cooperation in sectors including fishery, transportation infrastructure and renewable energy, conducted by related ministers of the two countries.
