Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received his counterpart from Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation in numerous fields.
Emomali Rahmon, the president of the Republic of Tajikistan, arrived at the Merdeka Palace at 10:30 a.m. local time for the bilateral meeting.
"It is great to meet President Emomali Rahmon, and thank you for your presence to participate in the meeting of the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum in Jakarta," Jokowi remarked while opening the bilateral meeting with Emomali.
On the agenda of the presidential secretariat, the two heads of state will also sign a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Tajikistan.
Jokowi also lauded Tajikistan's plan to appoint an ambassador to Indonesia.
"I am informed that this is President Emomali's third visit to Indonesia, and I welcome the plan to appoint the ambassador of Tajikistan to Indonesia," said Jokowi.
President Emomali was greeted by President Jokowi as part of a state ceremony held at the Merdeka Palace.
During his visit to Jakarta, Emomali is being accompanied by several ministers, including Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Aslov Sirodjidin Muhridinovich.
President Emomali will also attend the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum scheduled to be held at the Jakarta Convention Center on August 2-4, 2016.
On March 6, 2016, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi held a bilateral meeting with her counterpart from Tajikistan Aslov Sirodjidin Muhridinovich on the sidelines of the Fifth Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jakarta.
The close relations between both nations are apparent from the planned appointment of a non-resident ambassador to Indonesia in 2016.
The non-resident ambassador will be able to accelerate diplomatic communication between Indonesia and Tajikistan and boost bilateral cooperation.
Currently, any communication between the two countries is done through Indonesia's embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan, with Tajikistan's representatives in the city. (WDY)
