REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) welcomed Gambia Vice President Ousaino Darboe's visit at Vice Presidential Palace on Monday (July 16). In the meeting, the Gambia leader said he wanted to learn from Indonesia in organizing Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit.

“We want to learn from your experience and Indonesian experts in organizing the summit event,” said Darboe on Monday (July 16).

According to Darboe, Gambia wanted to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia in protocol arrangement for preparation to host the 14th OIC Summit this year. He said Gambia will become host for the event, along with Indonesia.

“Gambia is hosting OIC Summit this year, but we will work together with Indonesia to held this event,” Darboe added.

Darboe admitted that he was amazed by the protocol and security services of the Indonesian government since his arrival in Jakarta. He said Jakarta capital is a fairly friendly city.

“Since we arrived here yesterday, I receive tremendous hospitality and I also feel at home,” Darboe said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the Islamic Republic of Gambia had requested assistance from Indonesia in protocol. Gambia will host the holding of the 14th OIC Summit in November this year.

Retno explained, the protocol training aid has been given by Indonesia to the Gambia since 2017. Indonesia has even sent a protocol team to train protocol officers in the Gambia.

In addition, Gambia also requested that Indonesia to send a team to evaluate security issues ahead of the implementation of the OIC Summit.

“I have discussed with Mr JK, so our team will come to Gambia and help the country to conduct security assessment," Retno said.

According to Retno, National Police will conduct a joint evaluation with Gambia Police. She also said Indonesia is the first country to help Gambia intensively to prepare the implementation of OIC Summit.

Gambia is also possible to ask help from other countries in organising OIC Summit. Retno said the event will be  attended by more than 50 countries, so that Gambia needs good preparation.

So far, Indonesia has not been asked for proposal related to certain issues or agendas carried in the OIC Summit. Therefore, there has been no handover of the host country president from Turkey to the Gambia.

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