ER
INDONESIAN President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with South Africa, including the establishment of people-to-people relations through a joint visa-free arrangement.
During a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, President Prabowo expressed his hope to accelerate the implementation of the cooperation agreement by sending a technical team and delegation to discuss concrete programs with South Africa.
“We also hope to establish closer cooperation in the field of people-to-people arrangements, for example, a joint visa-free arrangement,” said Prabowo during a joint press conference with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, (10/13), 2025.
During that meeting, President Prabowo articulated that the bilateral discussions with President Ramaphosa were productive, particularly in the economic sector.
The two countries have recorded significant increases in trade over the past five years, but there is still significant room to expand and balance the value of this trade.
In addition to the economic sector, President Prabowo emphasized the importance of accelerating the implementation of the defense cooperation agreement agreed in 2023. The two leaders also emphasized cooperation in agriculture, energy, science, and education.
Furthermore, the Head of State expressed his support for South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025 and confirmed his attendance at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23, 2025.
President Prabowo believes that South Africa’s leadership in the G20 will play a vital role in promoting a more inclusive and equitable global economic order.
“We are confident that South Africa’s leadership will move forward toward a more inclusive and equitable global economic order,” said Prabowo.
Concluding his press statement, President Prabowo reiterated his gratitude and appreciation for the visit and the growing friendship between the two countries.
The Head of State also reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with South Africa in the future. “I would like to reiterate my profound gratitude and appreciation for your visit, and for the continued friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between Indonesia and South Africa. We are committed to advancing our strategic partnership with South Africa,” President Prabowo concluded. [antaranews]
