DPR's Indonesian Bilateral Cooperation Group Chairman Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono emphasized that under the leadership of President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his vice president, Indonesia remained committed to encouraging inclusive and sustainable development.
"We believe that the new government will focus on equitable economic growth, while ensuring that all elements of society benefit and maintain a healthy, intelligent and prosperous environment for future generations," Ibas, a nickname of Yudhoyono, stated on Sunday.
Grateful for the opportunity to meet the Uzbek Parliament amidst their busyness of preparing for the legislative elections, he conveyed a believe that the upcoming Uzbek elections would present an important moment to shape the path towards greater prosperity.
"We hope that the collaboration between our countries, the Indonesian and Uzbek parliaments, will continue to be harmonious and closer towards the common goal of prosperity, equality and sustainability," he said.
According to Ibas, Uzbekistan is a strategic trade partner for Indonesia. Uzbekistan has abundant natural resource potential and has played an important role in fostering integrated regions.
He acknowledged that Uzbekistan's leadership in the Central Asian region has initiated many projects intended to promote regional connectivity and integration through trans-regional initiatives.
"This shows Uzbekistan's position as a key leader in the region, contributing significantly to the overall stability and development of the region," Ibas noted.
On the other hand, Ibas said that Indonesia--as the fourth most populous country in the world and the largest economy in ASEAN--presented broad growth and had a strategic consumer market.
In addition, he continued, Indonesia was projected to add more than 75 million people to the middle class by 2030. With a middle class of 130 million people, Indonesia has the potential to become a large market.
Indonesia also serves as a gateway to ASEAN region and acts as a center for regional and international markets.
"With 35 trade agreements, including the largest regional comprehensive economic partnership-trade pact covering major economies such as China, Japan, South Korea and Australia--Indonesia plays an important role in global trade," he said.
Ibas further appreciated the increased cooperation between Indonesia and Uzbekistan in terms of tourism, transportation as well as education and culture. He said that bilateral cooperation between the two countries must continue to be improved.
He also asked a full support from Uzbekistan for the independence of the Palestinian people. He said that both Indonesia and Uzbekistan must continue to help the Palestinian people, including providing political and humanitarian support.
"We must continue to fight for truth and justice for rights and humanity. This position will not change in the future, until we see the rights of the Palestinian people fulfilled and we see the independence of Palestine," he concluded.
On that occasion, Ibas and other members of the DPR held a bilateral meeting with the Head of the Uzbekistan-Indonesia Friendship Group, Erkin Salikhov.
From the Indonesian side, the meeting was also attended by the Deputy Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency Putu Supadma Rudana as well as other delegates including Hinca LP Pandjaitan, I Komang Koheri, Bahtra, Agung Budi Santoso, Dimyati Natakusumah, Hamid Noor Yasin Sturman Panjaitan, Lasmi Indaryani, Irwan, Andi Akmal Pasluddin, Rezka Oktoberia, Hanna Gayatri and Muhamad Arwani Thomafi.
Meanwhile, from the Uzbek side, the Deputy Speaker of Uzbekistan Zukhra Ibragimova, Tojiev Odiljon, Khayrillo Gapporov, Dilorom Fayzieva as well as Head of the International Relations Committee Nuriddin Sultonov and members of parliament Islom Khushvaktov and Odina Otakhonova attended the meeting.
Translator: Fath Putra Mulya, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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