Indonesia and Turkiye have a very special spiritual and emotional relationship which has been established by the two countries for quite a long time, even hundreds of years.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The strategic relationship between Indonesia and Turkiye has entered a new chapter with the state visit of the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at Indonesia’s Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, on Wednesday (Feb. 12).

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto,said this momentum is not only a commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also marks a joint commitment to strengthen strategic cooperation in various fields.

"This visit is an honor for us because it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Turkiye. Indonesia and Turkiye have a very special spiritual and emotional relationship because our relationship is quite long. We have been in contact with the Turkish people for hundreds of years," said President Prabowo in a joint press statement.

During this visit, the two heads of state held the first High Level Strategic Council meeting, which is the highest bilateral forum for the two countries, according to the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat in a written statement as quoted by Indonesia Window on Thursday.

President Prabowo said that the meeting took place in an intensive and productive atmosphere with a shared commitment to strengthening the partnership.

"This partnership is for the prosperity of the people of both countries, and also to work for a new world order that is better towards world peace and stability," he said

According to Prabowo, the two heads of state discussed various forms of cooperation that are in line with the national priorities of both countries.

In the economic sector, Indonesia and Turkiye are committed to increasing trade between the two countries with the principle of mutual benefit, including accelerating the finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

"We agree to expand market access for products from both countries," said the president.

In addition, the two heads of state also agreed to strengthen defense and security cooperation which includes increasing military education and training, intelligence cooperation, and counterterrorism.

"We agree to also increase joint production and cooperation in the defense industry," he continued, adding that health cooperation was also the focus of discussion at the meeting.

Meanwhile, at the global level, the two heads of state reaffirmed their support for the two-state solution for peace in Palestine.

"We emphasize that Indonesia and Turkiye remain of the view that the solution for peace in Palestine is independence for Palestine with a two-state solution. We also support peace in Syria and Ukraine," he said.

Prabowo further said that President Erdoğan's visit was a concrete step in strengthening the strategic partnership of the two countries. This is also a historical momentum towards 100 years of partnership between Indonesia and Turkiye.

"I am very happy that this visit is very productive. President Erdoğan's visit is a new chapter in our strategic partnership, and will be a historical momentum towards 100 years of partnership between Indonesia and Turkiye in 2050," he said.

Meanwhile, President Erdoğan in his statement said that the meeting on Wednesday discussed in more detail the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Turkiye that was established in 2011.

Erdoğan hopes that the Wednesday meeting can have a positive impact and goodness for both countries.

Reporting by Indonesia Window