Indonesia, Philippines Agree to Strengthen Cooperation in Various Sectors
Indonesian President Jokowi and the Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deliver a joint press statement at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Monday (09/05). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
President Jokowi on Monday (09/05) said that he called for a significant increase in trade volume between both countries.
“Trade between Indonesia and the Philippines has recorded an increase of around 50 percent,” he said in a joint press statement with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province.
President Jokowi went on to say that Indonesia also encouraged an increase in export of goods such as food and beverages, pharmaceutical products, coconut products, and seaweed. He also invited his counterpart to further develop trade potentials of both countries and improve connectivity at the borders, both through revitalizing the Bitung-Davao RoRo Ship route and opening the Manado-Davao flight route.
On that occasion, both leaders discussed the enhancement of partnership in infrastructure and strategic industries. In this regard, a number of Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have participated in construction projects in the Philippines. For instance, the construction of two Landing Platform Docks by state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL and development of railway signal system in Manila by PT LEN Industri.
“I hope [the Philippines] plan to purchase NC212i aircraft from PT Dirgantara Indonesia can be realized. In the future, I look forward to seeing more opportunity for Indonesian SOEs and private companies to support development [projects] in the Philippines,” the President said.
President Jokowi and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also discussed the strengthening of cooperation at border areas. He asserted that both countries have agreed to review Revised Border Crossing Agreement and Border Patrol Agreement to stay relevant for those living at borders.
“We also committed to speed up deliberation on delimitation of continental shelf according to UNCLOS 1982,” he added.
Regarding defense and security sectors, Indonesia and the Philippines will enhance cooperation on water safety and security at border areas.
“I highly appreciate the signing of Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security. I am delighted that we have renewed the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) between Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia considering the urgency in securing water area from the threat of hostage-taking and abducting,” President Jokowi said.
Both leaders also talked over regional cooperation to strengthen ASEAN and the implementation of ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. President Jokowi underscored the importance to strengthen the centrality and unity of ASEAN. Indonesia will continue to ensure the role of ASEAN as a locomotive for stability, peace, and prosperity in the region while being able to overcome future various challenges and affirming respect for the ASEAN Charter.
“To strengthen ASEAN centrality, I emphasize the importance of implementing ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific through concrete and inclusive cooperation. In this regard, Indonesia will host Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum next year. I appreciated the Philippines’ commitment to fully support Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship 2023,” he stated.
In the meantime, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his appreciation for the support and participation of Indonesian SOEs in the country’s infrastructure projects. He also confirmed the Government’s commitment to not only carry on programs implemented in President Duterte’s tenure but also increase the volume and closeness of the two countries.
“The partnership that has been made with all partners and allies and friends around the world will be really important so that we remain stable as we grow out of the pandemic economy, and we work together and help each other to develop regional peace and regional development,” he said. (TGH/UN) (RAS/MMB)
