State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
January 10, 2024

“Indonesia continues to be one of our closest friends and regional partners. Our many commonalities in geography, history and culture have fostered deeper and comprehensive engagements in various levels… As neighbors, we must remain united in addressing the many challenges that our region now faces,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored as he engaged with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia in discussions aimed at establishing a renewed partnership and cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia.

During their bilateral meeting in Malacañan Palace, President Marcos Jr. conveyed his gratitude to President Widodo for the continued cooperation between the two nations, highlighting that this is a testament to the flourishing bilateral ties.

“It also enables us to forge new partnership and collaboration in new areas of cooperation such as renewable energy, creative economy, infrastructure development and other industrial development,” he said, emphasizing the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

Moreover, the Chief Executive reaffirmed the two countries’ shared aspiration towards peace, stability and prosperity in the Southeast Asian region. He commended the strong leadership of the Indonesian President in maintaining the longstanding ties between the Philippines and Indonesia.

For his part, President Widodo expressed his commitment to further enhance relations between the two countries, noting the need to create concrete steps to sustain the positive developments in the action plans between the Philippines and Indonesia, particularly in strengthening areas of political, security and economic partnership, among others.

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