Indonesia - Turkey Holds 2+2 Meeting, Foreign Minister Sugiono: A Mirror of Trust and Long-term Commitment

RI 2+2 meeting with Turkey. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RI)

JAKARTA - The 2+2 meeting held for the first time between Indonesia and Turkey is a reflection of the long-term trust and commitment of the relationship between the two countries, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono.

Foreign Minister Sugiono together with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin led a 2+2 meeting with his counterparts from Turkey, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Friday.

The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that this 2+2 meeting is an important platform to strengthen coordination within the framework of the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Indonesia is holding this 2+2 meeting only with a group of partner countries, reflecting deep long-term trust and commitment to building stronger bilateral relations with Turkey," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, launching the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement, (10/1).

Previously, the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, said on Thursday that in addition to Turkey, Indonesia also has a 2+2 meeting mechanism with Australia, Japan, China and France.

RI 2+2 meeting with Turkey. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RI)

This meeting is also a continuation of the direct mandate of the presidents of the two countries which was agreed upon in the first meeting of the Indonesia-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSC) in February last year.

In this meeting, the strengthening of cooperation in the priority areas of the two countries was discussed, including defense and defense industries, energy, trade, and investment. The ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments of common concern.

In the economic field, Indonesia and Turkey agreed on the importance of accelerating the completion of the limited Preferential Tariff Agreement (PTA) as a first step towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to increase the value of bilateral trade.

Both parties also encourage increased investment cooperation, including in the energy sector, mining, petrochemical industry and the development of an electric vehicle ecosystem.

Regarding regional and global issues, Indonesia and Turkey emphasized their commitment as strategic partners and Global South countries to strengthen multilateral cooperation. Both countries also exchanged views on the situation in Palestine, the Middle East, the ASEAN and Pacific region, as well as other global developments.

Indonesia reiterated its support for Turkey's desire to become an ASEAN Full Dialogue Partner. Both countries also agreed to continue to encourage concrete ASEAN-Turkey cooperation, especially in the economic field.

Regarding Palestine, Indonesia and Turkey encourage the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian aid, as well as reconstruction measures in the future.

The results of the meeting were outlined in a Joint Declaration which reflected the joint commitment of Indonesia and Turkey to strengthen the strategic partnership on an ongoing basis.