Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia Following the ASEAN and Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN-GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 20, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):

Alhamdulillah, all activities have been completed. The bilateral meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the ASEAN-GCC Summit proceeded smoothly and productively.

At the time I met with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (PM MBS), I convey the truth that the hajj queue in Indonesia is very long, to the point that some must wait for 47 years. Thus Indonesia needs an additional hajj quota. Alhamdulillah, it was responded to very positively and, in less than 12 hours, the commitment for additional hajj quota was immediately granted, at least 20,000 (additional quota) will be provided for next year.

Reporter:

Sir, is it true that the First Lady was invited to the Palace by Princess Sara, Sir? What did they talk about, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):

Yes, so when I met with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Prime Minister’s wife – Her Highness Princess Sara binti Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud – also invited Mrs. Iriana to the Palace. The First Lady recounted yesterday that she was warmly welcomed and received with great hospitality. This is something that does not usually happen. The information I received was that Princess Sara rarely receives the wives of foreign heads of state. It means, I consider the relationship between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia to be increasingly close and better.

Reporter:

Afterward, what was discussed at the ASEAN-GCC Summit, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):

This is the first meeting between ASEAN and the GCC. And, alhamdulillah, it was carried out under Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN. This summit is of particular significance, as Indonesia, ASEAN, and GCC choose to enhance cooperation amidst an increasingly divided world.  Palestine was one of the topics being discussed and the 16 ASEAN-GCC member countries have agreed to strive for the cessation of violence, to open full access to humanitarian support, and to reaffirm their commitment to the two-state solution so that both countries can live alongside peacefully.

(RY/MUR)