President Jokowi Plans Working Visit to Three Middle Eastern Countries
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo planned to undertake a working visit to several countries in the Middle East. The three countries to be visited were Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The five-day working visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations in the economic sphere.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Armanatha Nasir said the three countries were chosen because they possess oil and gas reserves, economic growth, and stable political situations. "Furthermore, their populations are predominantly Muslim, sharing many commonalities with Indonesia," he said during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry office on Friday, 11 September 2015.
Armanatha said that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have long been Indonesia's strategic partners in the industrial sector. One of the agenda items to be discussed was the protection of Indonesian citizens and Indonesia's energy security. "The total number of Indonesian citizens in these three countries is 1.4 million people," he said.
The working visit was scheduled to take place from that day until 15 September 2015. During the visit, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Head of Bappenas Sofyan Djalil, and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Franky Sibarani.
The President was to visit Jeddah until 13 September, followed by Abu Dhabi until 14 September, and concluding with a visit to Doha, Qatar, until 15 September.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Armanatha Nasir said the three countries were chosen because they possess oil and gas reserves, economic growth, and stable political situations. "Furthermore, their populations are predominantly Muslim, sharing many commonalities with Indonesia," he said during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry office on Friday, 11 September 2015.
Armanatha said that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have long been Indonesia's strategic partners in the industrial sector. One of the agenda items to be discussed was the protection of Indonesian citizens and Indonesia's energy security. "The total number of Indonesian citizens in these three countries is 1.4 million people," he said.
The working visit was scheduled to take place from that day until 15 September 2015. During the visit, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Head of Bappenas Sofyan Djalil, and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Franky Sibarani.
The President was to visit Jeddah until 13 September, followed by Abu Dhabi until 14 September, and concluding with a visit to Doha, Qatar, until 15 September.