Meeting PM Hun Sen, Jokowi Said Indonesia Wants To Be Involved In Infrastructure Projects In Cambodia

President Joko Widodo (right) spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, NTT, Wednesday (10/5/2023). POOL/ANTARA PHOTO/Aprillio Akbar

LABUAN BAJO - President Joko Widodo conveyed Indonesia's desire to be involved in infrastructure development projects in Cambodia as a form of commitment to increase economic cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, this was conveyed directly by President Jokowi during a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister (PM) Hun Sen on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday, May 10.

"Indonesia's commitment to continue to increase economic cooperation, including Indonesia's desire to be involved in development in Cambodia, especially the construction of infrastructure projects," said Foreign Minister Retno when delivering a statement after the bilateral meeting.

For information, Indonesia on January 18, 2022, has increased economic cooperation through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for tourism cooperation signed by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia Sandiaga Uno with the Minister of Tourism Cambodia Thong Khon in Sihanoukville.

The MoU is an update on a similar deal reached on March 16, 1999.

The latest MoU focuses on a number of collaborations, namely in the field of tourism promotion and marketing, management of tourism destinations, the private sector, capacity building, MICE, as well as events and connectivity.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia 2018-2023, Sudirman Haseng, also offered Indonesia's ability to assist Cambodia in building railway infrastructure.

This was conveyed by Ambassador Sudirman Haseng during an official visit to the Governor of Svay Rieng Province, Men Vibol, on June 17, 2022.

The bilateral meeting between Indonesia and Cambodia was held after President Jokowi chaired the plenary session for the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Summit at the Meruorah Convention Center, Labuan Bajo, at around 10:00 WITA.

At the beginning of the bilateral meeting, President Jokowi expressed his appreciation for Cambodia's support for Indonesia's Chairmanship in ASEAN 2023.

In addition, continued Retno, President Jokowi also congratulated the chairmanship of Cambodia in ASEAN in 2022.

Meanwhile, PM Hun Sen apologized for the incident of the Indonesian flag which was displayed upside down in the series of the 2023 SEA Games Opening Ceremony, Friday (5/5).

President Jokowi's meeting with PM Hun Sen was the fifth bilateral meeting held by Indonesia on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

Earlier on Tuesday (8/5), President Jokowi successively held bilateral meetings with Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh, Timorese Prime Minister Leste Taur Matan Ruak, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Swadone.