Afghan President to Visit Indonesia Next Week, Strengthen Peace-Building Collaboration
Jakarta. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani is scheduled to visit Indonesia next week, where he will meet with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to discuss peace-building efforts in Afghanistan, a Foreign Affairs Ministry official said on Thursday (30/03).
Ghani's first official visit to Indonesia on April 5-6 is expected to strengthen relations between the two countries, Ferdy Piay, director general for South and Central Asia at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said.
"The Afghan president wants to see Indonesia’s experience in conflict resolution as an example of 'best practice' that can be applied to current troubles in Afghanistan, in the hopes that our input might support reconciliation processes there," Ferdy said during a press briefing in Jakarta.
He added that Indonesia is eager to continue its ongoing support for peace-building processes in Afghanistan by enhancing programs meant to strengthen national institutions.
Ferdy cited collaboration in police and anti-money laundering training as essential to supporting peace-building in that country.
Ghani is also expected to learn about Indonesia’s counter-terrorism efforts and deradicalization programs in the hopes of applying new techniques to his own country's programs.
In regards to future economic links between the two Muslim-majority nations, there is reason to be hopeful.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said that although trade between Indonesia and Afghanistan is limited – annual trade measured only $16 million in 2016 – the Central Asian country is a potential market for Indonesian exports.
Ferdy said Afghanistan’s position as a landlocked nation has made monitoring trade more difficult, as most of Indonesia’s export goods are forced to travel through a third country, such as Pakistan or Iran, before they can reach Afghanistan.
He also cited banking transactions as another factor slowing trade with Afghanistan.
However, trade-related issues are expected to be addressed at a business forum, scheduled for April 6, between the Afghan delegation and their Indonesian counterparts.
Ghani is also expected to sign four memoranda of understanding with Jokowi on collaborations in education, agriculture, statistics and public administration sectors.
The Afghan leader will also hold a meeting with religious scholars from Indonesia's two largest Islamic associations – Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah – at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta during his visit, Ferdy added.
According to Ferdy, scholars from some of Indonesia's smaller Islamic organizations are expected to attend.
Ghani’s visit to Jakarta is part of an international tour to the region, including stops in Australia and Singapore.
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