JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto began a working visit to several countries in the Middle East on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
The visit is a strategic step in strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding economic cooperation amidst increasingly complex global geopolitical dynamics.
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In a closed meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the Qasr Al Shatie Palace, President Prabowo conveyed the importance of dialogue between leaders to respond to the global situation.
“First, I met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and to conduct consultations, exchange ideas on current world geopolitical and geoeconomic developments,” said President Prabowo.
The bilateral meeting resulted in a strategic agreement in the form of an MoU and LoI signed by both countries.
Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, emphasized that after the private meeting, an agreement was signed.
“After conducting a private meeting, the meeting ended with the announcement of both the MoU and LoI that had been signed and agreed upon by both parties,” he said.
In addition, President Prabowo also held consultations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“I also consulted with President Erdogan on industrial, trade, education and cultural cooperation,” said the Head of State.
“We have quite extensive and comprehensive relations with Turkey,” he said.
The agenda in Qatar also resulted in the signing of a number of important agreements, namely various agreements that are quite strategic for both countries.
“I am conducting a state visit and to finalize agreements between Qatar and Indonesia, as well as signing various agreements and deals that are quite strategic for our two countries,” Prabowo stressed.
Meanwhile, Lecturer in International Relations at Padjadjaran University, Teuku Rezasyah, assessed that President Prabowo’s working visit to the Middle Eastern country has opened up greater opportunities for Indonesia.
The reason is, if Middle Eastern countries feel uncomfortable with US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, then it is not impossible that Indonesia will become a strategic investment partner in the region.
“If they feel uncomfortable with developments in the US, then Indonesia must open itself to receive investment from the region,” he said. (*)
