Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in discussions on Wednesday, marking a significant step in enhancing trade and defense relations between their nations. The meeting resulted in a series of agreements, including a notable joint venture dedicated to drone manufacturing.
Erdogan’s visit to Indonesia follows his travels to Malaysia and is part of a broader four-day tour aimed at strengthening ties with key allies within the Islamic world. Upon arrival in Bogor, located south of Jakarta, he was welcomed with a traditional marching band, national anthems, and enthusiastic schoolchildren waving flags.
During the talks, President Prabowo expressed a strong commitment to elevating trade relations between Indonesia and Turkey, emphasizing the mutually beneficial nature of their partnership. He stated, “We are committed to increasing trade between the two countries, which is mutually beneficial,” and further emphasized their agreement to enhance cooperation in the defense sector, including joint training for military personnel and collaborative efforts in areas like counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing.
The signing ceremony, which was attended by both leaders, culminated in the establishment of a dozen agreements spanning various sectors such as trade, energy, higher education, and religious affairs. Among these agreements, the decision to produce drones in Indonesia stood out, showcasing a vital component of their expanding defense collaboration.
President Prabowo referred to Erdogan as “my close friend, my brother,” highlighting the warm diplomatic relations fostered between the two leaders. He noted their intention to expedite the completion of a free trade agreement to further enhance economic ties.
The meeting also marked the inaugural session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between the two nations, a significant platform for discussing bilateral relations and collaborative initiatives. Erdogan elaborated on their discussions, which included pressing global issues such as the situation in Syria and the ongoing Palestinian cause, alongside ambitious plans to increase trade between Turkey and Indonesia to $10 billion annually.
In the preceding year, Indonesia and Turkey’s trade reached approximately $2.4 billion, as reported by Indonesia’s trade ministry, indicative of the increasing economic interactions between the two nations. Their previous meeting in July in Ankara took place shortly before Prabowo’s official inauguration as president, further solidifying the continuity of the relationship that had been strengthened under the administration of Prabowo’s predecessor, Joko Widodo, who notably visited Turkey in 2017.
Moreover, in 2023, Indonesia made significant strides to modernize its military by acquiring 12 Turkish drones valued at around $300 million, showcasing the growing defense partnership between the two countries. Both Indonesia and Turkey align on numerous issues as members of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, where they are vocal advocates for Palestinian rights and critical of Israel’s policies. This shared stance on international concerns underscores the strategic and ideological alignment between the two Muslim-majority nations as they seek to fortify their bilateral cooperation in various domains.
