World Leaders Affirm Commitments to Boost Bilateral Ties with Indonesia
President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana on Sunday (20/10) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, received an honorary visit from King of Eswatini Mswati III from Papua New Guinea and his spouse Siphelele Mashwama,. (Photo by: Jay/PR)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Sunday (20/10) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, received honorary visits from several world leaders ahead of his inauguration as President of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 term.
World leaders received by the President were among others Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, and King of Eswatini Mswati III.
Speaking to reporters after accompanying the President during the meetings with those world leaders, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said that the world leaders congratulated the President for his next term and expressed confidence that the President and the new Vice President would be able to build a better future for Indonesia.
“They also expressed their commitments to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation with Indonesia,” the Minister added.
President Jokowi, Retno said, also thanked the world leaders for attending the inauguration, adding that the President also conveyed the same commitment that Indonesia will continue to strengthen bilateral relations with those countries.
Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Retno added, stated that he wanted to enhance the bilateral cooperation with Indonesia.
“The Sultan extended his gratitude for the contribution of the big number of Indonesian citizens in Brunei in supporting economic development in Brunei Darussalam,” Retno said.
The Foreign Minister added that President Jokowi and Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a tête-à-têtes meeting before the inauguration ceremony also had a light talk.
In the meantime, the meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, according to Retno, discussed a number of follow-up actions including those related to digital economy.
“It seems that the PM also held several meetings with Indonesian companies engaged in the digital economy,” Retno stated.
The Minister also stated that Prime Minister Hun Sen spoke specifically about economic cooperation.
“The President stated that Indonesia wanted to strengthen economic relations. Several Indonesian pharmaceutical companies have expanded their markets in Cambodia and we are now offering several strategic Indonesian industrial products, including those from state-owned train manufacturer PT. INKA,” she said.
On that occasion, according to Retno, King of Eswatini Mswati III stated that he wanted to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Eswatini. The President, Retno added, also said that the Government is interested in participating in Eswatini’s infrastructure development.
“Africa is the focus of Indonesian foreign policy, especially in the context of developing economic cooperation,” Retno said, adding that discussions are currently underway between Eswatini and state-owned banknote printing company PT Peruri for security printing. (FID/EN/JAY/RAH/ES)
Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Rany A. Subachrum, M. Ersan Pamungkas
