MANILA -- The Philippines and Indonesia has agreed to work together to strengthen their relations in defense and security, trade, as well as infrastructure development to face regional challenges.
In his opening statement during his bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Malacanang Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines and Indonesia must remain united to tackle the current regional challenges.
“As neighbors, we must remain united in addressing the many challenges that our region now faces,” President Marcos said.
He added, “(a)s you will soon conclude your second term as President of the Republic of Indonesia, I commend your visionary leadership and your strong commitment to promoting and enhancing the long-standing and close ties between the Philippines and Indonesia,” President Marcos said.
President Widodo is on a three-day official visit to the Philippines.
Highlighting the importance of the Philippines-Indonesia relations, Marcos said he opted to make his inaugural state visit by visiting Indonesia after assuming office in 2022 upon Widodo’s invitation.
The success of that visit not only served as a testament to the continuing and flourishing bilateral ties, but it also enabled the two nations to forge new partnerships and collaboration in new areas of cooperation like renewable energy, creative economy, infrastructure development, and other industrial development, he said.
Indonesia continues to be one of the Philippines’ closest friends and regional partners, having many commonalities in geography, history, and culture, the President pointed out
Widodo responded by making a commitment to work closely with the Philippines especially on defense and security, trade, as well as infrastructure development.
“I’m delighted about positive progress about implementation of our two countries’ action plan which need to be followed up with concrete steps to strengthen collaboration, especially in two areas of cooperation,” Widodo said in his opening statement during a bilateral meeting with Marcos.
The Indonesian President welcomed the strengthening of cooperation on border security although he said, there are issues that needs to be resolved.
These include the need to expedite the Revision of Border Crossing Agreement and Border Patrol Agreement of 1975, and the discussion on the settlement of continental boundaries.
Widodo also sought President Marcos’ support for the Philippines’ purchase of new warfare aircraft for the Philippine Navy from Indonesia.
In the field of economy, Widodo said Indonesia is committed to keeping market access open for Philippines’ agriculture commodities.
Widodo also sought President Marcos’ backing to accelerate the groundbreaking of the North-South Commuter Railway Project, the joint venture of Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Indonesian president also welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Energy Cooperation and thanked the Philippines for its support with the Indonesia’s chairmanship of the ASEAN last year.
Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to him, Widodo said the Philippines is the first country he is visiting this year to celebrate the 75th year of the Philippines-Indonesia diplomatic relations and to further strengthen ties. (PND)
