Meeting with Peruvian President, Puan Agrees to Strengthen Relations Between the Two Countries

Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte/PHOTO: DPR Public Relations Bureau

JAKARTA - House Speaker Puan Maharani recently received a state visit from the President of the Republic of Peru, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, at the House of Representatives building.

During the meeting, Puan expressed her agreement with President Dina to strengthen relations between Indonesia and Peru.

Puan emphasized that the House of Representatives will always support President Prabowo Subianto's efforts to develop and expand international cooperation that benefits the people, including with Peru.

"At this time, Indonesia and the world are facing various uncertainties. Increasing Indonesia's cooperation with various countries, including Peru, will be very relevant and significant," Puan said at the House of Representatives building on Monday, August 11.

"We must build cooperation with countries that prioritize multilateralism in international cooperation and reject unilateralism," continued the Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).

During the bilateral meeting, the two discussed the role of women leaders and strengthening diplomatic relations, both political and economic, between Indonesia and Peru.

"And earlier, as fellow female leaders, we must of course jointly support how female leaders in our respective countries exercise leadership," Puan stated.

"And in strengthening intergovernmental diplomacy, it certainly can't just be the executive branch; the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the legislature will also support synergy between the executive and legislative branches. This includes people-to-people contact and cooperation," she continued.

Puan mentioned that Peru is an important partner for Indonesia in Latin America, as they share many similarities as countries with long coastlines and rich cultures and natural resources.

She also explained that, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of relations between Indonesia and Peru, President Prabowo Subianto and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte signed the IP-CEPA (Trade Agreement-CEPA) agreement.

"Hopefully, the signing of the IP-CEPA will improve and streamline trade between Indonesia and Peru. We, in the DPR RI, certainly support matters related to economic trade, education, people-to-people contact, and so on," she said.

Furthermore, Puan also stated that the Peruvian President expressed his desire for agricultural products from his country to enter the country. This includes increasing cooperation in the tourism sector.

"Because Peru has Machu Picchu, and Indonesia has Borobudur Temple, how can tourism become a concern for development between Indonesia and Peru?" Puan said.

Furthermore, Puan emphasized that the bilateral meeting with the Peruvian President at the House of Representatives (DPR) did not discuss US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, nor did it discuss the Palestinian struggle for independence.

As fellow female leaders, Puan said she and President Dina agreed to strengthen relations between the two countries and create world peace.

"We didn't talk about tariffs earlier; perhaps we've already discussed that with the President. What's certain is that even though the distance between Indonesia and Peru is far, we agreed not to let that distance distance the relationship between Indonesia and Peru. Meaning, far in the eyes, but close in the heart," she said.

"What is certain is that we must continue to work together to maintain peace for the sake of prosperity and peace in the world, especially between the two countries," she concluded.