President Jokowi, Saudi Foreign Minister Meet to Discuss Hajj Pilgrimage, Economy

President Jokowi receives a courtesy call from Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (06/07). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received a courtesy call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (06/07).

In the meeting, President Jokowi extended his appreciation to the Saudi Arabia for resuming hajj pilgrimage after two years and for allotting a quota of 100,051 for Indonesian pilgrims.

The President expressed hope that this year’s hajj can be implemented smoothly and safely. In addition, President Jokowi also unveiled that the Indonesian Government has a plan to build Indonesian House in Mecca to support Indonesian hajj and umrah pilgrims.

“We seek support for Saudi’s authority and Government through Minister of Foreign Affairs who will extend our message to the authority in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

In the meantime, the Foreign Minister said that Saudi Arabia will increase the quota for hajj once the situation improves. He also confirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to build hajj supporting facilities.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, who also joined the meeting, revealed that Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban from entering Indonesia for its citizens following improving COVID-19 situation in Indonesia.

“Previously, I had told the Saudi Arabia’s authority that Bali, Indonesia hosted an in-person meeting. It was attended by more than 5,000 participants and we have not heard about significant confirmed COVID-19 cases among the participants,” she explained, adding that the Unted Nations and Prime Minister of Australia has appreciated Indonesia for its great measures to curb COVID-19.

The Indonesian Government, she added, welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision and expected it can bring positive impacts on tourism sector and increase business visits from the country.

On that occasion, President Jokowi and Prince Faisal also discussed cooperation on economic sector, particularly energy transition.

Retno said that the King of Saudi Arabia considered Indonesia as the top priority for economic cooperation. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RAS/MUR)