In a pivotal move that signifies the evolving partnership between the Middle East and Southeast Asia, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, received the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, at the Royal Court in Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
The formal reception ceremony for President Widodo underscores the importance that Saudi Arabia places on its relationship with Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority nation. Following this, the Crown Prince engaged in official discussions with the Indonesian leaderu, highlighting the robust nature of the Saudi-Indonesian partnership.
During their meeting, the Crown Prince warmly welcomed President Widodo, who in turn expressed his delight over the visit and the opportunity to engage with the Saudi leadership. The conversation revolved around examining the ties between the two nations and discussing avenues of bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The leaders also touched upon regional and international situations and the joint efforts towards addressing these issues, reflecting their shared interests and concerns.
Further solidifying the partnership, both leaders oversaw the signing of four bilateral agreements. One of the main agreements included the establishment of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council. This was signed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Another notable memorandum of understanding (MoU) focused on cooperation in the youth and sports sectors, signed by Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz and Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Ario Bimo Nandito.
Additional agreements included a technical cooperation program in various standardization fields and a MoU ensuring the quality of halal products. The latter was inked by CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, and CEO of the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency, Mohammad Aqil Araham.
The event was attended by an array of high-ranking officials from both countries. On the Saudi side, prominent figures like Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz and Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz were present. From the Indonesian delegation, figures such as Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir made their presence felt.
The growing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia is a testament to the strategic significance of bridging ties between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. As two major players in the Islamic world, their collaboration can set the tone for broader socio-economic and political synergy in the region.
