President Jokowi Meets President Marcos Jr, Discuss ASEAN Unity
- Tangkapan layar Youtube Sekretariat Presiden
VIVA – President Joko Widodo received a state visit from the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java on Monday, September 5, 2022. Both presidents discuss cooperation to strengthen ASEAN unity.
"We also discussed regional cooperation on how to strengthen ASEAN and the implementation of the 'ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific'. I emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN's centrality and unity," President Jokowi remarked at a joint press conference in the lotus room, Bogor Presidential Palace.
President Joko Widodo conveyed this after holding a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr along with the Philippine delegation.
Presiden Jokowi menerima kunjungan kenegaraan Presiden Republik Filipina Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., di Istana Kepresidenan Bogor, Jawa Barat, Senin (05/09/2022) pagi.
- ANTARA/Mentari Dwi Gayati.
Previously, both presidents also witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries in the fields of diplomacy, defense, and the creative economy.
"Indonesia wants to ensure that ASEAN continues to be a locomotive for stability, peace, and prosperity in the region," President Jokowi added.
According to President Jokowi, ASEAN must be able to overcome various challenges ahead and strengthen respect for the ASEAN Charter.
"To strengthen ASEAN's centrality, I underline the importance of implementing the 'ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific' through concrete and inclusive cooperation. In this context, Indonesia will hold the 'Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum' next year," President Jokowi remarked.
President Jokowi also appreciated the Philippines' commitment to fully support Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN in 2023.
Presiden Jokowi menerima kunjungan kenegaraan Presiden Filipina Marcos Jr
- Tangkapan layar Youtube Sekretariat Presiden
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Indonesia was not only regarded as a neighbor country or a friendly country, but also as a relative.
"We talked about the difficulties that each country is going through especially after the pandemic and this is why trade is such a significant thing that we talk about today," President Marcos Jr remarked.
President Marcos Jr also thanked Indonesia for its assistance in infrastructure programs and how to play a role in the changing geopolitical conditions.
"President Jokowi and I agreed to form a task force up to the technical level, not just at the political or diplomatic level. So, the benefits can be maximized in the future," President Marcos Jr remarked.
Not only that, but the President of the Philippines also believes that the cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines will always continue.
"I am sure that the cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines will continue to be closely intertwined and work together to maintain peace and regional development," President Marcos Jr added.
Also, participating in the bilateral meeting was Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs; Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment; Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Retno Marsudi, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy; Sandiaga Uno, Minister of State Secretariat; Pratikno, Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines TNI Lt. Gen. (ret.); Agus Widjojo, and the Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Abdul Kadir Jailani.
