Indonesia’s President Prabowo to sign key agreements during Türkiye visit

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto will visit Türkiye on April 10 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marking a significant step in deepening bilateral ties.

The visit will include the signing of five new agreements between the two nations, covering areas such as defense, education, security, and religious affairs.

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Jakarta, Talip Kucukcan, said the agreements aim to further strengthen relations.

“Bilateral and inter-delegation meetings will be followed by the signing of five new agreements. These will range from defense industry cooperation in education and security to religion,” he stated.

Kucukcan added that both countries are committed to increasing trade volume to $10 billion and that discussions during the visit will target this goal.

Strategic cooperation in changing global order

Kucukcan emphasized the visit reflects a shared desire to reform global institutions and reinforce multilateral diplomacy.

“Recently, Indonesia has also voiced interest in reforming international organizations, aligning with President Erdogan’s remark that ‘the world is bigger than five,'” he said.

The ambassador also noted that the meeting would send a signal to the global community.

“Two major countries are coming together at a time when post-World War II global structures are weakening. This visit will be a message in support of reform in international institutions,” he explained.

High-level address at Turkish Parliament

As part of his visit, President Prabowo will address the Turkish Parliament in a rare and symbolic appearance of a foreign head of state.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus will chair the special session on April 10, during which Prabowo will deliver a speech to lawmakers.

President Erdogan is expected to attend the session. Security measures around the parliament will be significantly heightened, and the session will be attended by political representatives, ambassadors, foreign mission officials, and media members.

Deepening partnership with historical roots

Kucukcan noted that the visit will help advance strategic cooperation, recalling the 12 agreements signed during Erdogan’s recent trip to Indonesia.

The ambassador also underscored that the visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Indonesia.

He explained that the countries’ connection goes beyond modern diplomacy. “Historical ties between Turks and Indonesians date back to the 16th century. Ottoman records show correspondence with sultanates in the Indonesian archipelago and close monitoring of Muslim affairs in Asia.”

In 2022, during the G20 Summit in Bali, both sides agreed to establish the Türkiye–Indonesia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (YDSK).

The first YDSK meeting was held in February 2024 during Erdogan’s visit to Bogor. According to Kucukcan, “This visit has elevated bilateral relations to a new strategic level.”

He added that Indonesia’s warm reception of President Erdogan was one of the most ceremonious of his political career, reflecting Jakarta’s growing emphasis on relations with Ankara.

Shared vision on regional, global challenges

Kucukcan stated both leaders are expected to address a wide range of issues, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “Both countries have consistently voiced strong support for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders,” he said.

The ambassador also highlighted mutual positions on Syria, noting both sides back the territorial integrity of Syria, a peaceful transition process based on the will of the Syrian people, secure refugee returns, and global cooperation to eliminate terrorism.

Türkiye sees its relationship with Indonesia as essential to maintaining an active role in the ASEAN region, both in trade and diplomacy.

Kucukcan said the strengthening of economic ties is a strategic pillar of this cooperation.