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President Jokowi is seen here with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during an official visit on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the Presidential Secretariat)

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors by signing a number of agreements.

The two leaders met at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Tuesday to discuss various issues. They later watched a signing ceremony for several cooperation agreements between government bodies, state-owned enterprises, and companies from both countries.

Through these cooperation pacts, it is hoped that we will be able to increase our bilateral trade volume, said President Jokowi after the meeting with Erdogan.

The two leaders agreed on various steps to enhance existing cooperation in the fields of infrastructure development, maritime affairs, health, energy, defense, and tourism. Both countries also agreed to cooperate regarding Islamic issues and Hajj pilgrimages, according to President Jokowi.

The meeting [with Erdogan] was positive, he said.

President Erdogan arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta on Tuesday morning. He then went directly to the Bogor Presidential Palace where he was received by President Jokowi.

In the afternoon, the two leaders attended a joint press statement after their closed-door meeting. They later witnessed several cooperation agreements being signed by state-owned enterprises and businesses from both countries at the Istana Anak Agung Gde Puspidar in Cisadane, Bogor Regency.

Erdogan's visit to Indonesia was conducted on invitation from President Jokowi. This is the second time Erdogan has visited Indonesia as president. The previous time he came was in 2014 when he made a working visit and met with former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyo.

President Erdogan earlier delivered a keynote speech at the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) plenary session entitled 'Rising Global Islamophobia Challenges and Responses' on Tuesday morning. The WIEF is being held in Jakarta from August 29 to 31.

This year's forum focuses on how to respond to rising global Islamophobia, especially after a string of violent attacks against Muslim communities in the West.

In his speech, Erdogan highlighted that the Islamic world must enhance its cooperation with each other and strengthen their ties. He also called for joint efforts to address global problems such as terrorism and climate change.

He also discussed several issues related to Palestine and Israel at length, including human rights violations there, Israeli aggression against Al Aqsa Mosque, and the siege of Gaza, which he described as a massacre.

Erdogan was accompanied by 10 ministers in his visit to Indonesia. He is scheduled to leave Jakarta for Singapore on Tuesday afternoon. (mfp/kes)

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