Indonesia, Egypt Agree to Cooperate in Fighting Terrorism

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The governments of Indonesia and Egypt have agreed to boost cooperation to fight terrorism, especially the kind spread through internet networks.

"We will also discuss the progress of democracy and Islam as a blessing for all, as well as radicalism and terrorism," President Joko Widodo said at a press conference after meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi at the Merdeka state palace on Friday evening.

The President said cooperation between the two countries would continue to be increased in various fields.

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said the two countries would face the challenges posed by radicalism and terrorism jointly through cooperation.

The two countries shared the view that terrorism is a common enemy and security cooperation is needed to deal with it.

They also agreed to ramp up their respective capabilities to deal with terrorism, including that spread through networks that exploit the internet as the base for their movement.

President Widodo was accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, Religious Affairs Minister, Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin and Minister/State Secretary, Pratikno.

Earlier in the day, President Joko Widodo welcomed President Al-Sisi upon his arrival at the state palace at 4:20pm.

President Al-Sisi received a state welcome marked by 21-cannon salute.

ANTARA