Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto emphasized Turkiye as an important strategic partner during his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkiye, on Tuesday (July 30).
Prabowo met President Erdogan at the Turkish Presidential Palace, Ankara, after his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday (July 29) and Turkish Defense Minister Yaar Güler on Tuesday.
“With the many opportunities ahead of us, Indonesia is committed to further strengthening the strategic partnership with Turkiye. We remain determined to enhance the historical friendship between the two countries,” he told Erdogan, as quoted from an official statement from his office on Wednesday.
Prabowo and Erdogan held a closed-door meeting. However, the ministry’s Head of the Public Relations Bureau, Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha, remarked that the meeting discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and the possibility of expanding partnerships, including in the defense sector.
At the meeting, Erdogan also congratulated Prabowo, who won the 2024 Presidential Election.
Prabowo and Gibran Rakabuming Raka are scheduled to be inaugurated on October 20, 2024, as President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2024–2029 period.
On the occasion, Prabowo also expressed his gratitude for the greeting and said that he was honored to receive such a warm welcome from the Turkish Government.
Upon his arrival at the Turkish Presidential Palace, Prabowo was directly welcomed by Erdogan who was waiting at the end of the carpet near the car.
After the meeting, Erdogan also escorted Prabowo to the front of the vehicle. Although Prabowo initially refused, Erdogan insisted until he entered the car and departed from the Presidential Palace.
Turkiye is Prabowo’s third destination in a series of his foreign visits since last week.
Before arriving in Ankara, Turkiye, Prabowo visited Paris, France, and Belgrade, Serbia.