Indonesian president’s ‘introductory’ PH visit slated Feb. 8 to 10

Indonesian President Joko Widodo. AP FILE photo

MANILA Philippines—Indonesian President Joko Widodo will come to the Philippines for an “introductory visit” on Feb. 8-10, 2015, the Departmant of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

The DFA in a statement said that it is tradition on the part of a new head of state to immediately conduct introductory visits to fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) state members.

Widodo, who was elected as Indonesian President in October 2014, will embark on his first state visit to the Philippines upon the invitation of President Benigno Aquino III.

“President Widodo will meet with President Aquino to discuss matters of mutual concern, including migrant workers issues, maritime cooperation, defense, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges, among others,” the DFA said.

Widodo is currently on a three-country swing from Malaysia and Brunei Darrusalam before his final stop in the Philippines.

The Indonesian President’s visit will come amid the uncertainty on the fate of a Filipina drug courier who was sentenced to death in 2010 in Indonesia.

The Philippine government has filed a judicial review and awaits Indonesia’s decision on the motion.

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