Indonesia, Saudi Arabia Agree to Further Strengthen Ties

Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud have agreed during a bilateral meeting in Riyadh on Sunday to further strengthen economic ties between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
"President Jokowi and King Salman agreed to increase economic cooperation in the future, especially in the energy and tourism sectors," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said after the meeting.
The Saudi government has also agreed to raise Indonesia's annual hajj quota by 10,000 to 231,000 pilgrims.
Ace Hasan Syadzily, deputy chairman of House of Representatives Commission VIII, which oversees religious affairs, said Indonesians currently spend up to 18 years on average on a waiting list to perform the hajj pilgrimage.
"The additional hajj quota will reduce the waiting list for Indonesian pilgrims. In South Sulawesi, the waiting list is up to 40 years," Ace said in a statement on Monday.
He added that the increased quota would not have been granted if Indonesia did not have close ties with Saudi Arabia.
Jokowi also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to discuss cooperation on counterterrorism and spreading a more moderate brand of Islam.
They also discussed ways the two countries can work together to support the Palestinian cause.
"As we know, the future of Palestine is becoming more unclear and it is the duty of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia to continue improving cooperation and to support the Palestinian cause," Retno said.
Tags: Keywords:POPULAR READS
Indonesian Military Loses Combat Readiness Due to Outdated Weaponry: Expert
Indonesia's defense spending remains notably modest in the regional context, accounting for a mere 0.8 percent of the GDP.Access to Water Central in Prabowo-Gibran Campaign
Java Island, home to 56 percent of the population, holds a mere 4.5 percent of the national water reserves,Putin to Discuss Israel-Hamas War During Trip to Saudi Arabia, UAE
Putin will make the visit at a time when Russia wants to advance its role as a power broker in the conflict in the Middle East.House Confirms Appointment of 7 New Supreme Court Justices
The House’s Legal Affairs Commission dismissed the appointment of three ad hoc judges for the human rights tribunal.United Tractors' Subsidiary Acquires 70% Stake in Nickel Companies Valued at Rp 3.22 Trillion
Danusa Tambang Nusantara (DTN), a subsidiary of United Tractors, has acquired a 70 percent stake in nickel companies SPR and SMA.Popular Tag
Most Popular

