President Jokowi Conveys 4 Agreements After Meeting PM Suga

President Joko Widodo, First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Yoshihide Suga, and Mrs. Mariko Suga wave on the veranda of the Bogor Presidential Palace, Tuesday, October 20. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo conveyed four agreements between Indonesia and Japan after his meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

"Several things that we discussed in the meeting included the first, cooperation in managing the COVID-19 pandemic," said President Joko Widodo in a joint press conference with PM Yoshihide Suga at the Bogor Palace, reported by Antara, Tuesday, October 20.

Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga and Mrs. Mariko Suga made their first overseas trip to Indonesia since officially taking office on September 16, 2020.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, Japan has been an important partner for Indonesia in mitigating the pandemic including the evacuation of 69 crew members from the Diamond Princes ship in Yokohama and I welcome the signing of the memorandum of health cooperation between Indonesia and Japan on 19 October," said the President.

Indonesia also appreciates Japan's commitment and contribution to the establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

"I also invite Japan to strengthen health governance in the region to deal with future pandemics, including the establishment of the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases," the President added.

Second, President Jokowi and PM Suga agreed on the importance of establishing a travel corridor arrangement for the essential businesses of the two countries.

"We also agreed to assign the foreign ministers of Japan and Indonesia to negotiate the details and finish them within 1 month," said the President.

Third, President Jokowi and PM Suga discussed cooperation in the economic sector in which Japan is one of Indonesia's strategic partners.

"I welcome the relocation and expansion of investment from Japanese companies to Indonesia, such as Denso, Sagami, Panasonic, Mitshubisi Chemical and Toyota," added the President.

However, President Jokowi also asked PM Suga to pay attention to the difficulty of importing a number of Indonesian products.

"There are obstacles to import permits for agricultural products, forestry products and fishery products from Indonesia. I also encouraged Japan to participate in the Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund," said the President.

Fourth, President Jokowi and PM Suga agreed to emphasize the importance of a spirit of cooperation, especially in the midst of the strengthening of rivalries of the world's major powers.

"The spirit of inclusive cooperation also needs to continue to be promoted in Indonesian cooperation as reflected in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. I also underline the hope that the South China Sea can continue to be a sea of peace and stability," the President added.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's visit is the first visit of a head of government to Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of adjustments in the state welcoming ceremony were made, for example the limited number of honor troops and the more tenuous distances.

Arriving at Bogor Palace at around 16.00 WIB, PM Yoshihide Suga's entourage was welcomed by President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Jokowi. The welcoming procession was then continued with an official welcoming ceremony on the Palace terrace due to the rainy situation.

After the ceremony, PM Yoshihide Suga and Mrs. Mariko Suga signed the state guest book and took a group photo, before having a conversation on the veranda.

President Joko Widodo and PM Yoshihide Suga then headed to the office to hold a tête-à-tête meeting while Mrs. Iriana and Mrs. Mariko Suga conducted a series of other events on the veranda of the Palace.

The two leaders then headed to the Oval Room of the Presidential Palace to hold a bilateral meeting with delegations from the two countries, among others

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir and Chargé d'Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo Tri Purnajaya.

In the evening, President Joko Widodo will hold a state dinner for PM Yoshihide Suga at the Garuda Room.