Indonesia, Turkiye Committed to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi during a working visit to Turkiye on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, reiterated Indonesia's commitment to building a stronger bilateral cooperation. Indonesia also aims to contribute to global peace and prosperity.

Minister Retno met Turkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who went to Jakarta in July 2023. The two of them also maintained very intensive communication which shows the close relationship between the two countries.

According to a press statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Minister Retno explained several areas of cooperation that could still be strengthened. Indonesia and Turkiye are both committed to expediting the finalization of the Indonesia-Turkiye Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and welcome the plan to convene the 5th round of negotiation of CEPA this year. The finalization of CEPA is expected to be a game changer and increase our bilateral trade and investment.

The two countries are also committed to continuing cooperation in eradicating transnational crime by signing a Security Cooperation Agreement as an umbrella for cooperation and hope that the MoU regarding counter-terrorism and combating transnational crime could be finalized soon.

Meanwhile, regarding defense cooperation, Retno and Fidan agreed to hold a 2+2 meeting and welcomed the ongoing military and defense dialogue. Both of them also welcomed strategic cooperation to develop the defense industry. Indonesia and Turkiye work together in a joint production of medium-weight tanks (MWT) and are committed to market them.

For Turkiye, Indonesia is one of the first partners in the Asia Pacific region to establish a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSC) mechanism. The HLSC was announced together by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali, in 2022.

According to Retno, the two countries have made preparations for the first HLSC meeting early next year, especially regarding potential concrete deliverables. Indonesia and Turkiye tasked officials in both countries to further identify and accelerate the conclusion of potential agreements and deliverables for a successful convening of the first Indonesia-Turkey HLSC.

SUCI SEKARWATI

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