BOGOR, Indonesia — On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in discussions with his Indonesian equivalent, Prabowo Subianto, focusing on enhancing economic and defense relations between their two predominantly Muslim nations.
This meeting marks the inaugural High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council summit for both countries, a forum that was established following an agreement made during a meeting in Bali in 2022.
Erdogan’s visit to Indonesia, recognized as the largest Muslim-majority nation and the biggest economy in Southeast Asia, is part of a broader four-day tour that also encompasses Malaysia and Pakistan.
As stated by Rolliansyah Soemirat, a representative from Indonesia’s foreign ministry, “This meeting represents the premier regular bilateral forum, where various matters of shared interest, including strategic priorities, will be deliberated.”
A statement from Turkey indicated that the agenda for the discussions would concentrate on pressing regional and global matters, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Earlier in the week, Erdogan met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during which he reiterated his disapproval of a U.S. proposal suggesting the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, insisting instead that Israel must take responsibility for the reconstruction of the area.
Erdogan emphasized, “We do not regard the suggestion to expel Palestinians from their ancestral lands as a proposition worthy of serious consideration.”
The Turkish leader, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Emine Erdogan, arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday evening. They were welcomed by Subianto at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport amid light rain. Following their arrival, Erdogan and Subianto traveled together in a motorcade to the president’s hotel.
In recent years, Indonesia and Turkey have nurtured an increasingly robust relationship. The two leaders previously convened in Ankara last July, when Subianto was still in the position of president-elect and serving as defense minister. During that meeting, Subianto committed to enhancing defense collaboration and other strategic domains for the benefit of both nations.
A defense cooperation agreement was put into place in 2010, which enabled Indonesia’s state-run arms producer Pindad and Turkey’s FNSS to collaboratively develop a new medium tank model. Additionally, in 2023, both countries formalized a plan for joint military exercises and cooperation in the defense sector.
Alongside Indonesia, Turkey has established High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council forums with 21 other nations, including Pakistan.
During Erdogan’s trip, both countries are slated to finalize agreements encompassing trade, investment, education, and technology. Following his visit to Indonesia, Erdogan is expected to travel to Pakistan, where he and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum, alongside participating in yet another HSLCC meeting.
