ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia on Tuesday decided to further strengthen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, including political and diplomatic engagement, economic and trade relations, defence and security, health, education, science and technology, and agriculture and environmental collaboration.
In this regard, the two countries exchanged Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements between both the sides in diverse fields. The two countries signed seven MoUs and agreements to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto witnessed the exchange ceremony.
The MoUs and agreements include cooperation in higher education, a grant programme for Indonesian state scholarships, facilitation of business development for small and medium enterprises, collaboration between national archives, narcotics control and cooperation in preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking, cooperation in halal trade and certification and cooperation in the field of health.
Earlier, an understanding to enhance bilateral ties was reached during a meeting between PM Shehbaz and Indonesian President Subianto at the PM House.
The two leaders held a meeting, followed by delegation-level talks, the PM media wing in a statement said. During the talks, the prime minister was assisted by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, cabinet ministers and senior officials.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the situation in Kashmir and Gaza, reiterating their shared commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and protection of human rights.
Expressing satisfaction with the upward trajectory of bilateral trade, both the sides agreed to review the Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (IP-PTA) to further expand the volume of bilateral trade, which currently stands at around $4 billion, while undertaking efforts to address the trade imbalance.
Later, addressing a joint press stakeout, the prime minister assured to work collectively with the Indonesian president to achieve the targets set for collaboration in different fields.
Shehbaz said Pakistan will also send its doctors, dentists, medical professionals and other related experts to Indonesia to fulfill its requirements in the field of medicine. He recalled that Indonesia stood by Pakistan like a rock wall in our 1965 war with a neighbouring country. He said this will be remembered by the people of Pakistan for all times to come.
Speaking on the occasion, President Subianto said both Pakistan and Indonesia agreed to expedite rebalancing of bilateral trade relations in practical terms. “We also look forward to further enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture, health and other areas of mutual interest,” he said. The Indonesian leader thanked the prime minister and Government of Pakistan for expressing willingness to send doctors, dentists, medical professionals and other related experts to Indonesia to fulfill its requirements in the field of health.
The prime minister also hosted a luncheon in honour of the president and his accompanying delegation.
Separately, following the MoU signing ceremony, the Indonesian president met the CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). “During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation were discussed. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen existing ties between the armed forces of the two brotherly countries,” the military’s media wing said. The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, CDF Field Marshal Munir reiterated that Pakistan values its longstanding relations with Indonesia and is committed to expanding defence collaboration in training, counter-terrorism and capacity-building domains. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Nishan-i-Pakistan, the highest civil award of Pakistan, on President Subianto at a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Earlier, a meeting was held between the two leaders which focused on historic ties between the two countries, shared values and the long-standing foundations laid by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and President Sukarno. Both the presidents noted the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Indonesia and agreed that their relationship continues to rest on shared values and long-standing goodwill. They expressed the intent to work more closely for peace, stability and prosperity.
