"I am honored to welcome the President of the Republic of Indonesia, one of the closest states of the Philippines. In an effort to welcome the 70 years of official diplomatic ties between the two countries, we have strengthened cooperation in various sectors. Relations between the two states are currently in the strongest position than ever," the Philippines President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte said at the Malacanang Palace on Friday.
President Duterte also expressed his gratitude to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and the Indonesian government for continuing to assist the peace process in Mindanao, Southern Philippines, the Press Bureau, Media and Information of the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat, quoted President Duterte as saying on Friday.
President Jokowi and President Duterte also made a press statement at the Malacanang Palace on Friday after holding a bilateral meeting.
The two countries have strengthened cooperation in a number of sectors, such as in the field of transportation, agriculture, politics, security and economic and inter-community relations.
In the field of transportation, President Jokowi inaugurated a new shipping line connecting eastern Indonesian waters with the southern Philippines territory of Davao.
"I am happy to announce the opening of a new sailing route that would connect Davao to General Santos and Bitung waters," Jokowi said during his state visit to Manila.
President Jokowi met President Duterte at the Malacanang Palace and conducted a bilateral meeting discussing various sectors, including the maritime cooperation.
The previous shipping line between Indonesia and Philippine took six weeks to be completed because the goods had to transit through Jakarta.
The eastern waters of Indonesia directly border with the southern Philippines territory. The opening of the new line will cut the shipping time to 2.5 days.
The new shipping line will also cut the transportation cost by up to 70 percent.
Jokowi added that cooperation in security sector will also be intensified to exterminate terrorism and pirates in the area.
Jokowi and First Lady Iriana arrived at the Col Jesus Villamor Airport, Manila, the Philippines, on Friday afternoon. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
