Talking with President Marcos Jr., President Jokowi Emphasizes ASEAN Unity

Presiden Joko Widodo dan Ibu Iriana Jokowi bersama Presiden Filipina Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. dan Ibu Louise Araneta–Marcos di Istana Kepresidenan Bogor (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

BOGOR - President Joko Widodo emphasized the centrality and unity of ASEAN during the state visit of the President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at the Bogor Presidential Palace.

"We also discussed regional cooperation on how to strengthen ASEAN and the implementation of the 'ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific'. I emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN's centrality and unity," President Jokowi said at a joint press conference in the lotus room, Bogor Presidential Palace, Monday, September 5.

President Jokowi conveyed this after holding a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. along with the Philippine delegation.

Previously, the two heads of state also witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) between the two countries in the fields of diplomacy, defense, and the creative economy.

"Indonesia wants to ensure that ASEAN continues to be a locomotive for stability, peace, and prosperity in the region," added the President.

According to President Jokowi, ASEAN must be able to overcome various challenges ahead and strengthen respect for the ASEAN Charter.

“And to strengthen ASEAN's centrality, I underlined the importance of implementing the 'ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific' through concrete and inclusive cooperation. In this context, Indonesia will hold the 'Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum' next year," added the President.

President Jokowi also appreciated the Philippines' commitment to fully support Indonesia's leadership in ASEAN in 2023.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. said Indonesia is not only considered a neighboring country or a friendly country, but also as a relative.

"We talked about the difficulties that each country is going through especially after the pandemic and this is why trade is such an important thing we talk about today," said President Marcos Jr.

President Marcos Jr. also thanked Indonesia for its assistance in infrastructure programs and how to play a role in the changing geopolitical conditions.

"President Jokowi and I agreed to form a task force up to the technical level, not only at the political or diplomatic level so that the benefits can be maximized in the future and I am sure that the cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines will continue to be closely intertwined and work together to improve cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines. maintaining peace and regional development," continued President Marcos Jr.

Indonesia-Philippines bilateral relations were opened on November 24, 1949. The total value of trade between the two countries in 2021 is USD 9.5 billion, with details of USD 8.6 billion of exports and USD 1.2 billion of imports. This means that Indonesia's trade balance is in surplus at the level of USD 7.3 billion.

Meanwhile, based on data from the Philippine Immigration Bureau, as of July 2020 the number of Indonesian citizens living in the Philippines is 4.408 people.