Philippines, Indonesia ink deals on defense, economy

BOGOR – The Philippines and Indonesia yesterday signed four cooperation agreements during President Marcos’ state visit here, which Malacañang described as “very productive.”

Marcos and Indonesian President Joko Widodo witnessed the signing of the Plan of Action between the Philippines and Indonesia from 2022 to 2027, an agreement on cooperative activities in defense and security, a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and an MOU for cooperation in the development and promotion of a creative economy.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the plan of action is a comprehensive document that outlines bilateral programs and commitments for the next five years.

Presented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, the document covers a wide range of areas of cooperation including security, defense, border management, counterterrorism, economics, energy, maritime, culture, education, labor, health and consular matters.

The agreement on cooperative activities in defense and security aims to enhance the collaboration between the two countries’ defense agencies and reinforce the modernization of the Philippine military.

The agreement, presented by Defense Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. and Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, renewed the 1997 cooperative agreement in the field of defense and security.

It will serve as the mother framework for all defense and security cooperation between the two countries.

On the other hand, the memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation, presented by Manalo and Marsudi, aims to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges and promote better understanding and appreciation of the two countries’ remarkable culture.

Angeles said the memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the development and promotion of the creative economy seeks to further bolster economic engagement between the two countries.

The document was presented by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno.

“This is a new area of cooperation, cultivating a common creative economy that leverages on our respective strengths to foster innovation through knowledge transfer in industries, including fashion, architecture, digital media, performing arts, music, theater, dance and creative services,” Angeles said at a press briefing here.

Angeles said the first state visit of Marcos as the Philippines’ head of state “was very productive, extremely so because the President did not expect that the talks between him and President Widodo would progress so rapidly in such a short time.”

She cited other agreements they had been preparing for and were not a surprise.

“What was surprising is the President’s willingness – President Widodo’s willingness to cooperate and his statement regarding ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the reliance on ASEAN as a structure for which we can cooperate on matters like defense and so on,” she added.