75 Years Of Diplomatic RI-Turkey Relations, President Prabowo And Erdogan: Historical Milestone Of Bilateral Relations

President Prabowo received President Erdogan at the Bogor Palace. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkey)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a joint statement said the 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Indonesia and Turkey were a milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries, when the two leaders met at the Bogor Palace, Wednesday.

Carrying the theme "A partnership for the People and the New World," the two leaders made this a momentum to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and Turkey, which not only benefits the people of each but also the world in general.

"To commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations by 2025, the two Leaders agreed to improve partnerships in all priority fields, including trade, defense industry, health, energy, infrastructure, and technical cooperation," read a joint statement from the two leaders issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as quoted on February 12.

The joint statement also stated that the two leaders agreed to strengthen inter-community relations through education, scholarship programs, language learning, cultural exchange, and tourism.

As a manifestation of the strategic partnership between the two countries, President Erdogan and President Prabowo jointly chaired the First High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (Dewan) - declared in 2022 - to provide direction on the goals and implementation of strategic partnerships in priority sectors, including politics, trade and investment, infrastructure, defense and security, social-culture and consular fields as well as cooperation in regional and global forums that are of common interest.

In a joint statement, the two leaders agreed to increase economic cooperation, trade and investment.

Both President Prabowo and President Erdogan agreed to increase economic and commercial cooperation, targeting a bilateral trading volume of US$10 billion by developing a preferential trade scheme between the two countries.

President Erdogan and President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of bilateral investment efforts and decided to improve bilateral investment relations.

Furthermore, the two heads of state support the acceleration and simplification of approval procedures related to agricultural products that will contribute to increasing the flow of bilateral trade and realizing the full potential of their economic partnerships.

Turkey is said to be interested in contributing to the government's plan regarding the initiative to provide 3 million affordable homes per year for low-income families.

Turkey and Indonesia have also decided to increase technical cooperation in the halal industry.

In addition to the economic and investment sectors, joint statements between the two leaders also discussed strategic partnerships in defense cooperation and industry.

Regarding security cooperation, the two presidents underlined their joint commitment to fighting crime, particularly transnational and organized crimes as well as terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and fostering international cooperation to overcome security threats.

The two leaders also agreed and instructed the establishment of close contacts and cooperation between intelligence agencies and the respective police to assess national, regional and international security risks through the exchange of information and experience.

Furthermore, President Prabowo and President Erdogan agreed to foster an energy security partnership in encouraging economic development.

In the infrastructure sector, the two heads of state emphasized the importance of infrastructure cooperation in encouraging economic growth, connectivity, productivity, and development, with the aim of improving the welfare of the people of the two countries.

In the field of regional and global cooperation, the two presidents have the same perspective on the current global order, where multiphase challenges will be faced with increased polarization and distrust of the global system.

To overcome this challenge, the two Leaders agreed to strengthen strategic collaboration in promoting multilateral cooperation.

47. In that context, the two Leaders also emphasized the importance of reforming global governance agencies, including the United Nations Security Council, to effectively address international challenges.

In addition, the two leaders also highlighted the importance of revitalizing the OIC Reform process, to improve and strengthen the Organization's ability to face current and new challenges, and plan its activities better.

Regarding Palestine, President Prabowo and President Erdogan reiterated that the ceasefire in Gaza was an important step towards achieving a lasting resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which must include the establishment of an independent Palestinian State under the framework of a two-state solution in accordance with internationally agreed parameters.

Condemning the atrocities committed against the population of Gaza and Lebanon, the two leaders agreed that those responsible must be held accountable, without impunity based on international law.

The two leaders also urged the delivery of safe, fast, and unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza during the ceasefire to address the humanitarian crisis caused by prolonged aggression.

Both President Prabowo and President Erdogan rejected the idea of relocating Gazans from their homeland.

The two leaders urged the international community to act to prevent Israel's intention to make the occupation in Palestine permanent, condemning military operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which undermines the prospects for peace after the ceasefire in Gaza.

The statement also said that the two Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to creating a global order that is fairer and more inclusive, adopting the rights of developing countries to pursue sustainable development and industrialization.

It is known that President Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan made a state visit to Indonesia. The plane carrying both of them arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon and was greeted directly by President Prabowo.