The ASEAN summit where leaders will discuss territorial disputes, terrorism and economic integration, takes place in the Philippine capital from April 28 to 29. / AFP / Ted Aljibe
(Eagle News Service) — The Philippines and Indonesia on Friday reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of maritime affairs, trade and agriculture, among others, announcing the launch of new sea routes and connectivities, and newly signed agreements.
In a joint press conference after their bilateral meeting in Malacanang, President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the launch of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung roll on-roll off (RoRo) sea linkage route, with the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Sea Connectivity.
“On 30 April 2017, the day after tomorrow, we will officially inaugurate the RoRo shipping route in Davao, an important element in Asean connectivities,” Widodo said.
According to Duterte, the route will “facilitate trade and movement of goods.”
He said on that day, he would launch the “maiden RoRo vessel” that will depart for Bitung in North Sulawesi province.
On trade, agriculture
Widodo said the two countries agreed to create a joint working group on trade this year, as he boasted what he said was an increase in trade between the two countries despite the “unstable global environment.”
He said trade in 2016 rose 32 percent from last year.
The leaders also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation, which “strengthens the development of the two countries’ agricultural sectors with its provisions for the exchange of technical assistance, joint research, and mutual consultation.”
“As I have always said, agriculture should be a sector of growth..Through cooperation of research, consultation and assistance, we can modernize the key sector,” Duterte said.
On security, people-to-people contact, disputes
Duterte said the two countries recognized “the need to address traditional and emerging threats” such as terrorism, violent extremism, piracy and illegal drug trading.
Widodo said the two countries have agreed to increase cooperation in combatting transnational crimes, and have agreed to create a joint working group to fight terrorism.
“On people-to-people contact, we agreed to strengthen cooperation on the protection of both countries’ citizens and Asean migrant workers,” he said.
Duterte said the Philippines, “together with Indonesia and our Asean brothers and sisters,” will “advance the interests” of the regional bloc, and promote the “peaceful resolution of disputes and primacy of law.”
The day was capped with a state banquet at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang in honor of the Indonesian President and his wife, Madam Iriana.
This is Widodo’s second trip to the Philippines.
His first visit took place in February 2015, under the administration of then-President Benigno Aquino III.
