In a bilateral meeting between Indonesia and Turkey held in Ankara on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed the mutual desire to expedite the finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations. Minister Retno emphasized that both countries are committed not only to strengthening bilateral cooperation but also to contributing to global peace and prosperity, as stated in a joint press release with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Acknowledging the satisfactory state of bilateral relations, Minister Retno highlighted the potential for further enhancement, particularly aiming to leverage the upcoming 75th diplomatic anniversary to elevate the bilateral ties. Both ministers agreed to accelerate the finalization of CEPA, welcoming plans for the fifth round of CEPA negotiations later this year. Ministers Retno and Fidan expressed confidence that concluding CEPA would be transformative, fostering increased bilateral trade and investment between Indonesia and Turkey, yielding mutual benefits. Additionally, they affirmed commitment to defense cooperation, including the agreement on a 2+2 meeting and ongoing military and defense dialogues.
Both sides welcomed strategic collaboration in defense industry development, including joint production initiatives such as the Medium Weight Tank (MWT), and pledged to collaborate on marketing efforts. Furthermore, they reiterated their dedication to combatting transnational crimes. The signing of the Security Cooperation Agreement was welcomed as a cornerstone for cooperation, with expectations for the expeditious finalization of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on counterterrorism and transnational crime eradication. Minister Retno highlighted the strategic partnership in developmental cooperation, underscoring the potential for capacity-building projects for Southern countries. Indonesia's establishment of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSC) with Turkey, announced jointly by both Presidents in Bali in 2022, was emphasized as a milestone in the Asia-Pacific region. Discussions also focused on early preparations for the first HLSC meeting next year, emphasizing the importance of tangible outcomes. Officials were tasked with identifying and expediting potential agreements and results to ensure the success of the inaugural Indonesia-Turkey HLSC.
