DAVAO CITY ─ Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte at the Presidential Guest House here on Wednesday, January 3.
During their meeting, both President Duterte and the Indonesian Foreign Minister agreed to elevate cooperation on trade, maritime security, education, and in eradicating terrorism.
President Duterte also expressed his interest anew in the resumption of the Philippines-Indonesia routes to further strengthen trade between the two countries.
While declaring that the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Marawi are in full swing, President Duterte said that he wants to intensify maritime security in cooperation with Indonesia as foreign and local terrorists continue to enter and exit the country despite the military efforts to go after these elements.
President Duterte had also expressed his interest in providing scholarship for Muslim students, particularly to those who are enrolled in the Madrasa institutions.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marsudi expressed her interest in pursuing the joint education program between the Philippines and Indonesia to “spread the Islamic values” in Southeast Asian nations.
She added that the Indonesian government wanted to conferring 300 passports for Indonesian descents living in Mindanao.
Marsudi was accompanied by Indonesian Embassy in Manila Charge d’ affaires Budi Dhewajani, Consul General for Indonesian Embassy in Davao Berlian Napitupulu, and Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for Southeast Asian Affairs Deni Abdi, among others.
Undersecretary Enrique Manalo of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Undersecretary Lorna Dino and Director Marge Ballesteros of the Department of Education (DepEd) were also present during the meeting. ### (PND)
