"For three days I met with two royal leaders who have very special relations with the Republic of Indonesia, the President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed, and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman," minister Luhut Pandjaitan said in a post on his personal Instagram account @luhut.pandjaitan here on Sunday.
Pandjaitan was accompanied by the General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, during his visit.
The minister said he was discussing plans to increase hajj quota for Indonesia with Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The prince also expressed his interest in the Nusantara Capital City project and the mangrove restoration program.
According to Pandjaitan, the two leaders have expressed support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency with the G20 Summit would be held in November 2022 in Bali.
He invited the Saudi crown prince to give a speech at a meeting of Indonesian youth and students.
Pandjaitan has also asked the UAE President Mohammad bin Zayed to support the construction of the Nahdlatul Ulama University building in Yogyakarta.
"I believe that all the good things I got from these two meetings were solely because of their respect for President Jokowi," the minister said.
He expected that the collaboration of the two influential kingdoms would inspire Indonesian youths to assist in national development.
"Hopefully, with the (collaboration) of the two kingdoms, which have important influences (globally), it can inspire the young generation in Indonesia to have more enthusiasm to contribute to the development of the nation and state," he remarked.
Minister Pandjaitan's visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates was conducted to prepare for President Jokowi's visit to the Middle East in the near future.
The two leaders, according to Pandjaitan, had special relationship with Indonesia. He also assessed that the business relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were based on friendly relations.
"This trust was reflected in Prince Mohammmed Bin Salman statement that President Jokowi's visit to Saudi Arabia would be on Prince Mohammed bin Salman's high profile agenda," the minister said.
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Translator: Ade Irma J, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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