TEMPO.CO, Jeddah - President Joko Widodo at 9 am Jeddah time (1 pm Jakarta time) on Sunday, September 13, departs for the United Arab Emirates after a three-day state visit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Presidential aircraft carrier took the President from King Abdul Aziz Airport, Jeddah to Abu Dhabi on a two-hour long journey. The President arrived in Jeddah last Friday and especially welcomed by King Salman bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.
Although welcoming ceremony was held under bad weather, strong and sandy wind, the reception was held by King Salman himself.
Shortly after arriving Friday evening, the President gave a press statement related to the crane disaster at the Mecca Grand Mosque which caused a number of Indonesian pilgrims dead and injured.
On Saturday (12/9), the Head of State was received by King Salman.
Other than holding a bilateral meeting and luncheon, President Joko Widodo was also awarded a fifth-level King Abdul Aziz Medal which is the highest award granted to foreign heads of state. The award was given by the King of Saudi Arabia based on appreciation of friendship and also contributed to the progress of cooperation between the two countries.
After meeting the King, the President received Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Minister of Labor and Economy Mufrij Al Hakbani and Head of Saudi Arabia Intelligence Khalid Al Humaidan.
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Agung said a number of results were achieved over the marathon talks, among others agreements on Hajj quota increase for Indonesia as many as 10,000 people for the next Hajj season and also an oil deal for Saudi oil company Aramco to invest in Indonesia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said besides bilateral talks, cooperation aspects with international organizations was also done in Jeddah.
President Jokowi accepted the Islamic Development Bank President Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al Madani and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Iyad Madani.
Retno said Indonesia agreed to cooperate with the organization of the Gulf states in economic and investment fields.
ANTARA
