MANILA -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo will arrive in the Philippines next week for an official visit, which is expected to deepen and expand the Philippines-Indonesia ties, the foreign affairs department announced on Thursday.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pleased to welcome His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, for his upcoming official visit to the Philippines, scheduled on 9-11 January 2024,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated in a media announcement.

“The Philippines and Indonesia, both founding members of ASEAN, are close neighbors and partners that have enjoyed longstanding and robust cooperation in a wide range of areas in the political, economic, and people-to-people relations,” it added.

According to the DFA, President Marcos’ meeting with Widodo on January 10 is anticipated to take stock of the progress in Philippines-Indonesia relations following the successful state visit of the Filipino leader to Indonesia in September 2022.

The two leaders are also expected to reaffirm their commitment to deepening and expanding Philippines-Indonesia ties, especially as the two countries celebrate this coming November the 75th anniversary of their formal diplomatic relations, the DFA noted. (PND)