REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Indonesian and Turkish governments have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership by enhancing cooperation in the fields of politics, defense and development as well as in socio-cultural and consular affairs. The agreement was arrived at the fifth Indonesia-Turkey bilateral political consultation forum in Lombok, held on October 7-9, according to a press statement issued by the Directorate of West European Region of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received here on Monday.
The political consultation is a bilateral forum between the two countries' directorates general established in line with the memorandum of understanding between the two countries' Ministries of Foreign Affairs, signed in 2011.
The action plan was formulated by both the governments to meet the challenges in the way of stronger Indonesia-Turkey ties. It will mark a new era in the bilateral relations as both countries work to realize commitments included in the declaration of strategic partnership that Indonesian and Turkish presidents agreed to in 2011.
In the economic field, especially in investment and trade, the governments of Indonesia and Turkey admitted that the huge potential was yet to be exploited. However, they also conceded that many obstacles hindered the economic relations between the two countries. In view of that, the two countries have agreed to increase the exchange of trade and investment missions and to have more effective consultations.
In the fields of defense and security, the two countries agreed to boost exchange of visits and cooperation in the defense industry, particularly in the development and production of defense system related equipment. Besides strengthening bilateral relations, the two countries' governments also specially discussed various aspects related to the Indonesian students in Turkey who need to continue their education. The issue assumed importance in the context of the current political unrest following a recent coup attempt in Turkey.
The Indonesian and Turkish governments have agreed to find the best solution to ensure that the Indonesian students are able to keep pursuing their education in that country.
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