Decide to promote their relations in various fields, including trade, culture, health, education, vocational training
President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Photo: Radio Pakistan
Pakistan and Indonesia have signed seven Memorandums of Understanding and agreements to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The MoUs and agreements include cooperation in higher education, a grant program for Indonesian government scholarships, facilitation of business development for small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperation between national archives, drug control and cooperation on prevention and combating illegal drug trafficking, cooperation on trade in halal and certification, and cooperation in the field of health.
Pakistan and Indonesia have decided to promote their relations in various fields including trade, culture, health, education and vocational training. The understanding to this effect came at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Islamabad today.
Later, during a joint press conference, the Prime Minister assured to work collectively with the Indonesian President to achieve the goals of cooperation in various fields.
Referring to the $4.5 billion bilateral trade, which largely benefits Indonesia, the prime minister said the two sides have discussed taking collective measures to balance trade through exports of agricultural products and IT services from Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz has said that Pakistan will also send its doctors, dentists, doctors and other related experts to Indonesia to meet its requirements in the field of medicine.
The Prime Minister noted that our relations span 75 years, with the visit of the Indonesian President coinciding with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to celebrate this occasion in a befitting manner.
Read: Red carpet rolled out for the Indonesian president
The Prime Minister recalled that Indonesia stood by Pakistan like a rock wall in our 1965 war with a neighboring country. He said that this will be remembered by the people of Pakistan for ever.
Prime Minister Shehbaz was confident that the visit of the Indonesian President would take the fraternal relations to a much higher level. He stressed that they would work together to promote progress and peace not only for their own countries but for the entire region.
Speaking on the occasion, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia said that both Pakistan and Indonesia agreed to speed up the rebalancing of bilateral trade relations on a practical basis.
He said we also look forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in education, agriculture, health and other areas of mutual interest.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz and the Government of Pakistan for expressing willingness to send doctors, dentists, doctors and other related experts to Indonesia to meet the country’s health requirements.
The Indonesian president has said that both countries coordinate in the field of foreign policy and especially have a common position on Palestine. He expressed support for the two-state solution of the Palestine issue and said that both Pakistan and Indonesia will always maintain a common position in this regard.
Read more: Indonesian President Subianto lands in Islamabad for his first two-day official visit
The President of Indonesia expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for extending a warm welcome and gracious hospitality during his visit. He said it is an honor for him that PAF fighter jets including JF-17 Thunder escorted his aircraft. The Indonesian President also invited Prime Minister Shehbaz to visit Indonesia on mutually convenient dates.
A formal welcoming ceremony in honor of the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, was held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad this morning.
Anthems from both countries were played on the occasion. A contingent of armed forces presented a guard of honor to the visiting dignitary.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad where Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed him. He also planted a memorial tree at the Prime Minister’s house. After inspecting the guard of honour, he was introduced to federal ministers.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived on Monday to a red carpet welcome for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
On his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, the Indonesian President was warmly received by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz along with the Cabinet members and senior officials.
A smartly attended contingent of the President’s bodyguard presented a static salute to the visiting dignitary, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation of key ministers and senior officials.
Read also: Pakistan, Indonesia discuss defense ties
This is President Prabowo’s first visit to Pakistan since assuming office, as the last presidential visit from Indonesia was made by then President Joko Widodo in 2018.
During his stay, President Prabowo will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz and meet President Zardari. The Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, will also call on President Prabowo.
Several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit.
The visit takes on added significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.
The two parties will discuss a wide-ranging agenda aimed at further strengthening Pakistan-Indonesia relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation, including trade, investment, defence, health, IT, climate, education and culture, as well as strengthening cooperation at regional and global levels.
