President Jokowi commences state visit to Turkey

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) commenced his state visit to Turkey by holding a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Thursday.

Head of Media and Information Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin had remarked here earlier on Wednesday that before meeting the Turkish president, Jokowi will visit the Kotacepe Mosque at the Ankara city center to meet the local Muslim clerics.

Jokowis first agenda on Thursday morning is visiting the Attaturk Mausoleum, the tomb of Turkish first president Kemal Ataturk, to lay a wreath as part of his state visit to Turkey.

In the afternoon, President Jokowi and his entourage will then head to the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Turkey to meet President Erdogan.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, President Jokowi will discuss economic development and security cooperation with his Turkish counterpart.

Marsudi stated that Jokowi will enhance cooperation on economic development by inaugurating the Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IT-CEPA).

Indonesia and Turkey will also develop cooperation in the strategic industry sector.

Additionally, Jokowi will discuss cooperation in the field of counterterrorism with Erdogan.

Both presidents will also witness the signing ceremony for cooperation in the health sector and the inauguration of the IT-CEPA.

Jokowi and Erdogan will issue a joint press statement and attend a state luncheon.

After meeting Erdogan, Jokowi will also hold one-on-one meetings with business sector leaders.

"Several business leaders who have keen interest in establishing cooperation with Indonesia will meet Jokowi," Marsudi noted

Source: ANTARA