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TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to continue working closely with Indonesia on efforts to rebuild Gaza and to jointly champion the Palestinian cause.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara alongside Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Erdogan said the partnership between the two nations will persist in both humanitarian and diplomatic spheres.
“In the forthcoming period, we will continue our cooperation with Indonesia to rebuild Gaza and champion the Palestinian cause,” Erdogan stated, as reported by Bernama-Anadolu.
The meeting comes in the wake of escalating devastation in Gaza, where more than 50,000 people have reportedly been killed since the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023. Israel has staunchly opposed a two-state solution to the conflict, leaving the enclave in ruins.
Earlier in the day, President Prabowo received a ceremonial welcome at the Turkish presidential palace and later delivered an address to the Turkish Parliament.
Erdogan hailed the occasion as a symbol of deep-rooted ties between the two nations, saying: “Prabowo’s address to the Turkish Parliament was the most beautiful manifestation of the longstanding brotherhood between our countries.”
The two leaders committed to enhancing cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas, including defence, energy, health, tourism, and food security. “In the defence industry context, we discussed ongoing projects and explored new avenues for cooperation, including joint production,” Erdogan noted.
He also expressed satisfaction with growing tourism links, highlighting that the number of Indonesian visitors to Türkiye reached 203,000 in 2024.
Turning to trade, Erdogan underlined ambitions to boost bilateral economic ties: “We reviewed the steps needed to increase our trade volume to the target of US$10 billion in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner.”
The Turkish President also praised the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which begins on Friday and will be attended by President Prabowo. “This strong interest once again underscores our country’s growing influence in global diplomacy,” Erdogan said.
“I sincerely believe that President Subianto’s visit will enhance both our bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” he added. – April 11, 2025