REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR -- Saudi Arabian government has recognized the progress of Indonesia's development, Saudi Arabia's foreign affairs minister Nizar bin Ubaid Madani remarked.

"The visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has become a momentum to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries," Nizar bin Ubaid Madani said in a joint press conference at the Bogor Palace here on Wednesday.

He pointed out that King Salman expressed his gratitude and thanked President Joko Widodo for the invitation as well as the warm welcome. During the meeting, President Joko Widodo and King Salman discussed the improvement of bilateral cooperation in terms of politic, economy, culture, education, investment and others.

"The two leaders agreed on bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure investment and others," Nizar stated.

On the occasion, President Joko Widodo lauded the efforts of Saudi Arabian government in completing the expansion of facilities at the al-Haram Grand Mosque in Mecca and providing good services for Muslims who perform the Hajj pilgrimage and the minor pilgrimage or umrah.

President Joko Widodo also praised King Salman's concern over Indonesian citizens who live in Saudi Arabia. Both leaders witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoU), among others, security, Islamic affairs, information and culture, health, fisheries and maritime affairs, leadership, state relations, education, trade, and small medium enterprises (SMEs).

"With regard to the issue of Palestine, both leaders agreed to solve the Palestinian issue appropriately. The two leaders also agreed to develop Islam peacefully," Nizar said.

Both countries agreed to encourage the role of the International Islamic Cooperation Organization (OKI) in solving middle east issues and to respect the sovereignty of all other nations without intervention. "It is a common view of King Salman during the bilateral meeting with President Joko Widodo," he concluded.

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