Belarusian president views Indonesia as key Southeast Asia partner

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko called Indonesia one of Belarus' important partners in Southeast Asia.

"Indonesia will always be one of Belarus' important partners in Southeast Asia. If you are the only friend in Southeast Asia, that's enough for me," he said during a joint press statement with President Prabowo Subianto after a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.

Lukashenko views relations between Indonesia and Belarus have grown increasingly closer in recent years.

"I am very pleased that in recent years, relations between Belarus and Indonesia have been very close. There has been a lot of progress in various fields, some of which have been achieved for the future, while others remain potential," he noted.

Since diplomatic relations were established in 1993, cooperation between the two countries has continued to grow based on mutual respect and support, the president added.

On that occasion, President Lukashenko also expressed his appreciation to President Prabowo for the invitation to a state visit to Indonesia.

He said the visit to Indonesia had left a lasting impression on him and the Belarusian delegation. Lukashenko also recalled his first visit to the country in 2013, noting Indonesia's rapid development and strong economic prospects.

He then mentioned that President Prabowo's previous meeting in Belarus provided an important foundation for realizing the cooperation agenda between the two countries.

Lukashenko also recognizes the significant work being carried out by Indonesia under President Prabowo's leadership.

Furthermore, the president said the high-level talks in Jakarta were constructive and friendly, where he hoped the relationship would continue to be strengthened through effective cooperation in various fields.

He then conveyed Belarus' readiness to work closely with Indonesia, especially on economic and trade projects, as well as humanitarian, social, and cultural projects.

"We are friends with you, Mr. President, in various fields, and we hope to work effectively. Our main focus is on projects in the economic and trade sectors, as well as humanitarian and socio-cultural ones," Lukashenko remarked.

President Lukashenko's state visit to Indonesia marks an important step in strengthening bilateral ties, reaffirming Indonesia's position as Belarus' key partner in Southeast Asia and paving the way for broader mutually beneficial strategic cooperation.

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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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