According to the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta, several Filipino and Indonesian officials sent off President Widodo at the air base, including Filipino presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity, Carlito Galvez Jr., and the Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, Agus Widjojo.
President Widodo arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday (January 9, 2024) and attended several meetings with Filipino high-ranking officials during his visit, including with President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on Wednesday (January 10).
"Praise be to God, today, I concluded my state visit to the Philippines at the invitation of President Marcos Jr. Yesterday, I attended a successful bilateral meeting with His Excellency President Marcos Jr.," Widodo said in Manila.
Earlier on Thursday, the Indonesian head of state held meetings with Filipino secretary of transportation, Jaime Bautista, and secretary of national defense, Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro Jr.
During the meeting with secretary Bautista, President Widodo expressed his appreciation for the Philippines' support and trust in Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including construction firms PT PP and PT Adhi Karya.
The two construction SOEs recently signed joint venture contracts with the Filipino government for the development of the North-South Commuter Railway Project in the Philippines.
During his meeting with defense secretary Teodoro Jr., Widodo thanked the Philippines for appreciating and placing trust in Indonesia-manufactured defense equipment products.
"I do believe that if managed properly, Indonesian SOEs, including those running in the creative and defense sectors, will be able to boost their competitiveness in the global arena," he said before flying to Vietnam.
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, SOEs Minister Erick Thohir, and chief of the Presidential Staff Office, Moeldoko, among others, flew with President Widodo to Vietnam.
Related news: Jokowi lauds the Philippines' trust in Indonesian weapon products
Related news: Jokowi discusses transportation cooperation with Philippines
Related news: Indonesia-Philippines bolster ties on 75th year of diplomatic relation
Translator: Andi F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
