Indonesia’s Widodo in Manila next week

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo are set to discuss progress in relations between the Philippines and Indonesia relations next week during the latter’s three-day official visit to the country, Malacañang said yesterday.

Widodo will be the first head of state to visit the Philippines this year.

The two presidents are expected to reaffirm the two nations’ commitment to deepening and expanding ties.

The Presidential Communications Office said the Indonesian President will be in the country from January 9 to 11.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pleased to welcome His Excellency Joko Widodo… The Philippines and Indonesia, both founding members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), 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,” PCO said.

The two leaders are set to meet in Malacañang on January 10 and take stock of the progress in Philippines-Indonesia relations following Marcos’ state visit to Indonesia in September 2022, PCP also said.

The Philippines and Indonesia initially established diplomatic relations on Dec. 27, 1949.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will meet with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Manila on January 9, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The meeting between the two is for the 7th Philippines-Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).

The JCBC, according to the DFA, is the primary dialogue mechanism between Manila and Jakarta to review accomplishments on mutual collaboration initiatives, exchange views on issues of mutual interest, and consider plans for enhancing cooperation.

“The two ministers are also expected to exchange views on key regional and international issues of common concern for the Philippines and Indonesia,” the DFA added.

The Ministerial Meeting follows the Senior Officials’ Meeting of the 7th JCBC which was convened via virtual format on April 11 and 12, 2022. – With Ashzel Hachero