Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held a bilateral meeting with her Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara on May 2, 2024, discussing Palestinian issue, defense cooperation, counter-terrorism and Indonesia-Türkiye Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement (CEPA).
Retno said in a media statement on May 2, 2024 that Palestine issue dominated her discussing with the Turkish FM. Indonesia and Türkiye share the same principled position when it comes to Palestine.
Indonesia’s position is very clear. Indonesia wants to always defend humanity and justice for Palestine, for the Palestinian people.
“What Indonesia wants to see is an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unhindered and sustained humanitarian assistance, a credible peace process towards two-state solution and Palestine’s full membership in the UN,” she said on May 2,2024.
Retno said she conveyed her statement before the International Court of Justice in February this year as one of the efforts to support Palestine.
“Our discussion today also highlighted the important role of the Global South as bridge-builder and agenda-setter in various multilateral fora and as advocate for a fair and just global governance,” she said.
Bilateral issues
Besides Palestine, Retno and Hakan Fidan also discussed bilateral issues, including the finalization of Indonesia-Türkiye Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the plan to convene the 5th round negotiation of CEPA this year.
“We do believe that finalization of CEPA will be a game changer and increase our bilateral trade and investment,” she said.
On defense cooperation, Indonesia and Türkiye have agreed to have the 2+2 meeting, welcome the ongoing military and defense dialogue as well as strategic cooperation on development of defense industry. Both countries did a joint production of Medium Weight Tank (MWT) and are committed to work together for joint marketing.
Both countries are also committed to continue cooperation on combating transnational crime.
Indonesia and Türkiye welcome the signing of Security Cooperation Agreement as an umbrella for cooperation and hope that the MOU on counterterrorism and on combating transnational crime could be finalized soon.
The two foreign minister also discussed measures to foster strategic colaboration on development cooperation. As both of are emerging economies, the two countries could offer capacity buildings and joint projects for countries of the Global South.
For Türkiye, Indonesia is among the first partners in the Asia Pacific region to establish the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSC) mechanism. The HLSC was announced together by the two countries’ presidents in Bali, in 2022.
Retno and her Turkish counterpart also discussed preparation for the first Meeting of the HLSC early next year, especially on the potential concrete deliverables.
