Abe Says Indonesia Remains Strategic Partner on 60th Diplomatic Anniversary

Tokyo, MINA — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Saturday that Indonesia remains an important strategic partner in working together to address regional and international issues on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

“Indonesia is a strategic partner for Japan that shares universal values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, working together in tackling regional and international issues as fellow maritime countries surrounded by vast oceans,” Kyodo reported, citing Abe in a message released by the Foreign Ministry.

As the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary, the premier added that he has “high hopes of further strengthening cooperative bonds.”

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Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is visiting Jakarta to attend a ceremony to celebrate the anniversary on Saturday as a special representative of Abe. Nikai is also expected to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss countermeasures against tsunami, as both countries are prone to earthquakes.

The president said in a separate message that Indonesia and Japan are “actively engaged in various kinds of cooperation at regional and international forums, and will continue to cooperate in strengthening peace and stability in the region.” (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency MINA)