BALI, Indonesia, Oct. 11 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III has expressed confidence that the good relations between the Philippines and Indonesia will continue with the swearing-in of President-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo this month.
In an interview with the members of the Philippine media delegation here, President Aquino said the Philippines would do everything to maintain its good bilateral relations with Indonesia.
“Kaya naman tinutulungan natin na masiguradong ganoon nga ang mangyayari, na inimbita tayo para dito sa Bali Democracy Forum, at ating sinadya dahil tanda nga nang pagkilala natin sa malaking tinutulong sa atin ng Indonesia at sa napakagandang relasyon natin,” the President said.
President Aquino was here in Bali on Friday to participate in the 7th Bali Democracy Forum, which he co-chaired with outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday.
“Tapos ‘yung kay President-elect, ‘di ba, parang natural naman siguro na lalo pa niyang habulin at paigtingin ang relasyon sa isang bansang karatig nila at kasama sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” the President said.
President Aquino cited the agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia on maritime boundary delimitation as one of the positive results of the two nations’ good bilateral relations.
The Chief Executive said President Yudhoyono’s government also helped the Philippines in protecting the welfare and safety of overseas Filipino workers during the Arab Spring in 2011.
He also acknowledged Indonesia’s overwhelming assistance in the aftermath of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), as well as its participation in the Mindanao peace process.
“Gagawin ng Pilipinas lahat para mapanatili ang magandang ugnayan at kung puwede pataasin pa at patibayin pa ‘yung relasyon,” President Aquino told members of the Philippine media delegation here.
Joko Widodo will be be sworn in as the seventh president of the Republic of Indonesia on October 20. (PNA)