Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on a state visit to Indonesia, marking a significant milestone in the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Under the theme “Partnership for the People; For the New World,” both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and fostering cooperation for mutual benefit and global good.

The visit, described as timely by both presidents, sets the stage for a centennial partnership by 2050. The leaders co-chaired the inaugural High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), established in 2022, to guide strategic collaboration across political, economic, defense, security, socio-cultural, and consular domains, as well as regional and global issues of shared interest. Discussions during the Council were held in a cordial atmosphere, with both leaders reaching important agreements on bilateral and international matters.

Recognizing the evolving global trade landscape, Presidents Subianto and Erdoğan committed to achieving a bilateral trade volume of USD 10 billion. To reach this target, they agreed to develop a limited preferential trade deal by 2026 as a stepping stone toward the Türkiye-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both leaders emphasized the need for closer economic ties, with increased exchanges between trade officials and private sector involvement through the Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation (JEC).

The leaders also pledged to streamline approval processes for agricultural products to boost trade flows and encouraged investment in agriculture through technical meetings and training. Türkiye expressed readiness to support Indonesia’s ambitious plan to build 3 million affordable homes annually for low-income families, leveraging Turkish expertise in sustainable housing solutions. Cooperation in civil aviation was also highlighted to enhance trade and tourism.

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to fully operationalize the Trade Preferential System Among the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (TPS-OIC) and D-8, as well as strengthen technical collaboration in the halal industry.

Defense and defense industry cooperation emerged as a cornerstone of the strategic partnership. The leaders agreed to develop a roadmap for enhancing defense ecosystems, fostering high-tech industries, and establishing joint ventures and representative offices for Turkish defense firms in Indonesia. Human resource development was prioritized, with plans for Indonesian cadets and officers to receive training in Turkish defense institutions, focusing on areas such as cybersecurity, intelligence, and counterterrorism.

To oversee strategic defense cooperation, both leaders agreed to establish regular 2+2 meetings between their foreign and defense ministers in 2025. On security, they committed to combating transnational crime and terrorism through closer collaboration between intelligence and police agencies, emphasizing information sharing and capacity building.

Energy security was identified as critical for economic growth, with both leaders expressing readiness to collaborate on energy exploration, production, and development projects in Indonesia, Türkiye, and third countries. They encouraged state-owned enterprises and private companies to partner on energy initiatives, particularly in geothermal and renewable energy, to advance sustainable development and address climate change. Dialogue on critical raw materials for clean energy transitions was also emphasized.

In infrastructure, both presidents underscored the importance of cooperation to drive economic growth and connectivity. Türkiye’s construction firms were welcomed to participate in Indonesia’s national strategic projects, including the development of 3 million homes and the new capital city, Nusantara. To facilitate this, the leaders agreed to establish an Indonesia-Türkiye Infrastructure Forum and tasked relevant ministries with planning and implementation.

Recognizing the importance of cultural and educational ties, the leaders committed to expanding academic partnerships, scholarships, and joint research programs, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and medicine. Youth exchanges, study visits, and secondary education initiatives were also prioritized. Indonesia expressed interest in hosting Türkiye’s flagship aerospace and technology festival, Teknofest, in 2026 or 2027 to foster technological interest among youth.

In health, both nations agreed to collaborate on medical infrastructure, vaccine production, and global health resilience to prepare for future pandemics. As disaster-prone countries, they pledged to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery, sharing best practices and building resilient infrastructure.

Culturally, the leaders highlighted historical ties, including connections between the Ottoman Empire and the Aceh Sultanate since the 16th century, and welcomed joint film productions to showcase this heritage. They also committed to enhancing collaboration on cultural heritage conservation, repatriation of artifacts, and training in Islamic art and manuscript preservation.

On the global stage, Presidents Subianto and Erdoğan shared concerns about increasing polarization and distrust in the international system. They agreed to strengthen multilateral cooperation, advocating for reforms in global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Both leaders reiterated their unwavering support for Palestinian sovereignty and independence, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and a two-state solution. They condemned atrocities in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, urging accountability under international law and unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza. On Syria, they supported territorial integrity and a peaceful, inclusive transition, emphasizing refugee returns and counterterrorism efforts.

Indonesia endorsed Türkiye’s bid to become an ASEAN Dialogue Partner, appreciating its Asia Anew Initiative to strengthen ties with Asian countries. Both nations committed to collaborating in international forums such as the G20, MIKTA, and D-8, advocating for a fairer global economic order that supports developing nations’ industrialization and re source beneficiation. They also agreed to enhance development cooperation through their respective agencies, focusing on Africa and the Pacific.

The First HLSCC marked a milestone in Indonesia-Türkiye relations, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive roadmap to deepen ties. Both leaders expressed optimism about achieving their shared vision of “Partnership for the People; For the New World.” They agreed to convene the JEC and establish the Indonesia-Türkiye Infrastructure Forum, with the Second HLSCC scheduled for 2027 in Türkiye. The Joint Strategic Planning Group, led by foreign ministers, will follow up on outcomes and prepare for the next meeting.

President Erdoğan thanked President Subianto for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation, underscoring the strong bonds between the two nations. As Indonesia and Türkiye commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, this visit signals a renewed commitment to a strategic partnership that benefits their peoples and contributes to global peace and prosperity. (ILKHA)