Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made the statement while delivering his remarks along with President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, at the Presentation Of Agreement and Leaders' Statement at Malacañang Palace, Manila, Wednesday.
"75 years of Indonesia and the Philippines diplomatic relations is an excellent momentum to further strengthen concrete cooperation between the two countries," President Jokowi stated at the event, aired on the YouTube channel of the Philippines state-run Radio Television Malacañang.
He noted that in the fields of politics and security, the two countries agreed to strengthen border cooperation by encouraging the acceleration of revisions of the border patrol agreement, border crossing agreement, and the settlement of continental shelf boundaries and strengthening defense cooperation.
Indonesia and the Philippines also agreed to bolster cooperation in the field of economy to increase trade.
"We agreed to continue to open market access, and Indonesia seeks the Philippines' support related to special safeguard measures for Indonesian coffee products," Jokowi stated.
On that occasion, he lauded the Philippines' trust in Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the construction of important infrastructure in the Philippines, including for accelerating the North-South Commuter Railway project.
Lastly, he affirmed that Indonesia and the Philippines agreed on strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity.
"ASEAN must continue to uphold the principles of international law and maintain positive force for peace, stability, and prosperity," he remarked.
During his visit to the Philippines, President Jokowi is accompanied by several state officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and SOEs Minister Erick Thohir.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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