CAIRO, RAKYAT NEWS – President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, expressed that Egypt holds a special place in the hearts of Indonesians. He made this statement during his state visit to the Al Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo on Wednesday.

The visit marked a significant diplomatic milestone, being the first state visit by an Indonesian president to Egypt in a decade.

“This is an honor for me to conduct the first state visit by an Indonesian president in ten years. Egypt holds a unique and special place in the hearts of Indonesians,” President Prabowo declared during a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Prabowo emphasized Egypt’s historical importance to Indonesia, as it was one of the first countries to recognize Indonesia’s independence during the struggle for freedom from colonial rule. This act of solidarity forged a strong bond between the two nations that persists today.

The Indonesian leader also highlighted Egypt’s vital role in the global economy. As a leader of the Global South and under its chairmanship of the D-8 organization for economic cooperation, Egypt’s influence remains significant in shaping the international agenda for developing nations.

“Egypt, under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Indonesia, under President Soekarno, were leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement. Today, Egypt continues to lead as a voice for the Global South,” President Prabowo noted.

During his face-to-face meeting with President El-Sisi, both leaders discussed a wide range of topics, including strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges. The talks were described as warm, intensive, and productive.

The Indonesian delegation accompanying Prabowo included key officials such as Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas, and Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt Lutfi Rauf. Their Egyptian counterparts included Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Investment Hassan El Khatib, and Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed El Shenawi.

The visit also saw Prabowo being warmly welcomed with a ceremonial reception and engagements with the Indonesian diaspora in Egypt. Students and members of the Indonesian community celebrated his visit with cultural performances, showcasing traditional attire and art.

Prabowo’s visit underscores the longstanding partnership between Indonesia and Egypt, rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and a commitment to further collaboration on the global stage. (Uki Ruknuddin)

 

 

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