WELCOME RITES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (right) welcomes Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left) at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday (Jan. 10, 2024). Marcos and Widodo would hold a bilateral meeting after the arrival rites. (PNA photo by Rey Baniquet)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Malacañan Palace in Manila where they are expected to hold a bilateral meeting.
Widodo, who is on his second day in the Philippines for a three-day official visit, was accorded arrival honors at the Kalayaan Grounds of Malacañan Palace before signing the guest book at the Reception Hall.
Marcos and Widodo are set to hold a bilateral meeting and release a joint statement on the issues they will discuss.
They are expected to tackle the progress in the relations between the Philippines and Indonesia and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the two nations’ ties.
Marcos will also host a state banquet for Widodo and his official delegation to the Philippines.
Secretaries Enrique Manalo of foreign affairs, Gilbert Teodoro Jr. of defense, Alfredo Pascual of trade, Raphael Lotilla of energy, Jaime Bautista of transportation, Cheloy Garafil of communications, and Carlito Galvez Jr. of presidential peace adviser, joined Marcos in welcoming Widodo.
Widodo arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday night.
The Philippines and Indonesia will mark their 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations in November this year.
Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Indonesia were officially established on Nov. 24, 1949. (PNA)
