Indonesia and Ethiopia Affirm Commitment to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Ethiopia have affirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership as fellow Global South nations through the hosting of the second Indonesia-Ethiopia Bilateral Consultation Forum (BCF) in Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) of the Republic of Indonesia, in its statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, said that this strengthening of commitment was carried out during the meeting held last Thursday (7/5), led by Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa Santo Darmosumarto and Director General for Middle East, Asia, and Pacific of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dewano Kedir. “In the midst of an increasingly complex global landscape that demands resilient diplomacy and broader partnerships, the partnership with Ethiopia as a centre of growth and gateway to East Africa is highly strategic,” said Santo Darmosumarto. Over 65 years of diplomatic relations, Indonesia and Ethiopia have built a close friendship that has now evolved into a results-oriented partnership. In addition, at present, five Indonesian companies have been operating or are in the process of investing in Ethiopia. Furthermore, both parties agreed to make trade and investment one of the main focuses, including exploring the establishment of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to expand market access and encourage Indonesian outbound investment to Ethiopia. To support economic activities and people-to-people contacts, the two countries also discussed strengthening connectivity, including the expansion of the implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Ethiopian Airlines. Meanwhile, in the political field, both countries emphasised the importance of increasing high-level visits and strengthening regular dialogue mechanisms, including utilising the BCF as a strategic forum to discuss priority issues and evaluate follow-up on cooperation. In the social, cultural, and development spheres, Indonesia and Ethiopia agreed to deepen cooperation in higher education, health, tourism, and development cooperation. “Ethiopia greatly appreciates the friendly relations with Indonesia and views this Forum as a platform to expand cooperation in priority areas,” said Dewano. The meeting was concluded with the signing of agreed minutes that will serve as a guide for the implementation of future bilateral cooperation, including commitments to various cooperation initiatives in priority sectors.