President Jokowi to Boost Cooperation with Cambodia

President Jokowi meets Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, at Park Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday (03/05). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had a meeting with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet, at Park Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday (03/05). Both state leaders had a discussion on strengthening bilateral relation between Indonesia and Cambodia with regard to the celebration of 65th anniversary of diplomatic relation between both countries this year.

In the meeting, President Joko Widodo expressed hope of strengthening cooperation in various bilateral sectors and appreciation on Cambodia’s support while Indonesia was holding ASEAN Chairmanship last year.

“We realize that ASEAN still has homework to implement ASEAN’s agreement and resolving Myanmar’s crisis. Indonesia will continue to support the chairmanship of Laos this year, especially in implementing Five-Point Consensus,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi underlined three major issues in the bilateral meeting. First, increasing trade and investment cooperation through connectivity and infrastructure development, be it in air or sea sectors. On investment, the President mentioned that Indonesia’s State-owned Enterprises are ready to contribute and be a major partner in railway and infrastructure sectors.

Second, on issue of human trafficking eradication, President Jokowi expressed appreciation on support extended by Cambodia’s Government in handling Indonesia’s citizens that have fallen into victims. He also emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation in preventing and handling human trafficking criminal acts between the country of origin and the country of destination.

“MoU on Transnational Crimes Eradication of 2023 needs to be implemented immediately, especially on exchanging intelligent information and developing the capacity of both countries’ police forces,” he firmly stated.

Lastly, both leaders discussed cooperation in food security sector, including importing rice from Cambodia. President Jokowi also encouraged the settlement of revising MoU on Rice Trade Cooperation and MoU on Formulating Counter-Trade Mechanism to have an agreement on rice and amount of imported rice.

“Implementation of MoU in Agriculture also needs to be encouraged, especially the follow-up of developing the capacity of agricultural management, irrigation, and investment in rice management and stocking,” he stated.

Accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, Minister for State Secretariat Pratikno, and Minister for Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/UN)(AW/LW)