Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono Discusses Improving Economic Relations to Protecting Indonesian Citizens with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

JAKARTA - The Indonesian and Malaysian governments have agreed to strengthen coordination in order to expand cooperation in various sectors, while continuing to resolve issues of common concern, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the 17th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting with his counterpart, Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Foreign Minister Sugiono said that the relationship between the two countries is more than just a bilateral relationship.

"More than that, Indonesia and Malaysia share DNA, share culture, share language, borders and many things," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, Thursday (4/6).

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Sugiono said that the meeting held today was considered important and strategic to bring benefits from all the potential possessed by both countries for the prosperity and welfare of its people.

"The meeting discussed many important things in order to improve good economic relations, regional stability, protection of citizens, and other things related to Indonesia-Malaysia's strategic position in the context of broader international relations," he said.

In addition to strengthening coordination to increase cooperation in various sectors, the two ministers also "appreciated the hard work in order to resolve various issues of common concern, as well as the efforts of both countries in order to maintain regional stability and participate in peace efforts.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mohamad, in turn, appreciated and thanked Foreign Minister Sugiono for holding the 17th JCBC, after the last time a similar event was held in 2018.

"The discussion was a discussion between friends to find a common ground to solve the knots that exist," he explained.

As a neighboring and kindred country, Foreign Minister Mohamad said it was natural for these knots to exist.

He also praised the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia by saying 98 percent. While the remaining 2 percent is referred to as issues and knots that "we need to solve in the best way," explained Foreign Minister Mohammad.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Mohamad also expressed his hope that investment and trade between ASEAN countries would be increased.

"We trade a lot with countries outside ASEAN. Intra-ASEAN trade is not up to 25 percent. How do we increase trade and investment among ASEAN countries," he explained.

He also hopes that today's meeting can improve relations between the two countries, as a preparation for the Indonesia-Malaysia Annual Consultation Meeting, the second highest bilateral forum of the two countries which presents the President of Indonesia with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, which this year will be held in the neighboring country.

Foreign Minister Mohamad estimates that PM Anwar Ibrahim's meeting with President Prabowo Subianto will be held between October and the end of this year.