JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sugiono said that Indonesia's relationship with Singapore cannot be separated from the geographical fact. The two countries, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, are destined to live next to each other so that cooperation must continue to be maintained and strengthened.
This was conveyed by Sugiono when he escorted Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Monday, July 6, after the Indonesia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat series.
"Singapore and Indonesia are destined to live as neighbors. A reality, a geographical fact that cannot be replaced or changed," said Sugiono.
According to Sugiono, the meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and PM Lawrence Wong was friendly and open. The two leaders had a one-on-one meeting, followed by lunch together, and discussed the follow-up to cooperation between the two countries.
Sugiono said a number of memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed at the meeting. The agreement, he said, showed that the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore was getting closer.
"This closeness must be maintained. Cooperation must also be improved," said Sugiono.
The cooperation discussed includes technology, education, and management of important sea lanes in the region. Sugiono emphasized that Indonesia and Singapore also discussed the importance of maintaining the Malacca Strait as a sea lane that is free and accessible to all parties.
The issue of the Malacca Strait is not a small matter. This route is one of the arteries of regional trade. For Indonesia, stability in the region concerns economic interests, security, and strategic position in Southeast Asia.
Sugiono said Indonesia and Singapore would also work with Malaysia and Thailand to strengthen regional relations.
"Maintaining the Malacca Strait and making it a free sea lane or lane, which is accessible to everyone," said Sugiono.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the talks between the two leaders showed that the Indonesia-Singapore relationship did not stop at the visit ceremony. There is follow-up work that must be escorted after the cooperation documents are signed.
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