Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Source: internasional.metrotvnews.com) Indonesia and the Vatican have agreed to strengthen ties and hold intergovernmental dialogues, reported the Antara agency news.
The announcement was made following a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in Jakarta.
According to Marsudi, the two sides intend to increase cooperation in socio-cultural fields such as initiating an Indonesian cultural exhibition at the Vatican Museum featuring statues and carvings from the Borobudur Temple as well as a collaboration in radio broadcasting.
In terms of the education sector, Marsudi said there are around 1,500 Indonesian clerics and friars who study and work in the Vatican City and elsewhere in Italy.
Cooperation between universities of both countries will be boosted through student and lecturer exchanges, she added.
On the occasion, Parolin expressed his admiration for Indonesia's harmonious pluralism.
He said Indonesia provides good examples of interfaith harmony. There are many religions in the country yet the people are respectful towards one another and are willing to look past their differences, he added.-VNA
