April 12, 2025 | 02:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia undertook a state visit to Turkey on April 9-10, 2025, where he received a formal welcome from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marked by a distinguished procession.
The arrival at the Presidential Palace in Ankara was underscored by a display of three helicopters carrying the Indonesian flag overhead and a cavalry escort accompanying Prabowo.
Along the main thoroughfare in Ankara, a large video screen displayed images of both Prabowo and Erdogan, complemented by welcoming messages presented in both Indonesian and Turkish. This reception signals the cordial relationship between the two nations. However, some observers have cast doubts, questioning whether this grand gesture will translate into tangible outcomes.
Prabowo's visit to Turkey was a return courtesy following Erdogan's visit to Jakarta in February 2025. Nevertheless, from the perspective of Indonesia's national interests, the public still awaits a clear articulation of the strategic achievements resulting from this bilateral meeting.
Agreements with Erdogan
According to a report from Antara, during a joint press conference with Erdogan, Prabowo announced that Indonesia and Turkey had reached an agreement to broaden their collaboration across trade, defense, and investment sectors.
He indicated that both countries would accelerate the conclusion of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) as an initial step towards the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
However, specific details regarding the content of this agreement have not yet been disclosed. Information remains unknown concerning products that will benefit from facilitated trade under the PTA, trade barriers that will be eliminated, or the mechanisms through which this cooperative framework will directly benefit Indonesian businesses.
In the defense sector, Prabowo conveyed Indonesia's interest in participating in the development project of Turkey's fifth-generation fighter jet, known as "Kaan." He also proposed the formation of a joint venture between the defense industries of both nations, including collaboration in the construction of submarines.
"Indonesia is eager to participate in the cooperation for the development of the fifth-generation jet fighter, Kaan, as well as the construction and development of submarines with the Turkish industry," he said.
While these aspirations appear ambitious, some analysts view these plans as potentially premature, especially considering the high number of ongoing domestic strategic projects that have yet to be completed.
Indonesia's involvement in fighter jet development is not yet firmly established, as evidenced by persistent challenges in financing and technology, even within long-term cooperative ventures such as the KF-21 program with South Korea.
In the economic sector, Prabowo invited Turkish investors to engage in various strategic projects within Indonesia, including the development of battery industries, renewable energy, and textiles. He also expressed his hope that Turkish construction firms would continue their involvement in Indonesia's infrastructure development, including projects within the healthcare sector.
Indonesia-Turkey Relations
The relationship between Indonesia and Turkey has a long-standing reputation for political amity. The two nations frequently express solidarity on global issues, particularly those concerning the Islamic world.
During his address to the Turkish parliament, Prabowo commended Turkey's resolute stance in support of Palestine, emphasizing Indonesia's desire to stand alongside Turkey in defending oppressed populations.
"I believe that Turkey and Indonesia can do the best for the people in the world," Prabowo affirmed in his speech to the members of the Turkish Parliament, as reported by Ankaradia and monitored via the YouTube account of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
However, the economic ties between the two countries have not yet demonstrated a substantial increase. The volume of bilateral trade has not reached a level commensurate with their potential, and strategic cooperation in technology and defense remains in the preliminary stages of planning.
The commitment to "build civilization" and to become a global power within the Islamic community is an undoubtedly compelling vision. Nevertheless, without a clearly defined roadmap and demonstrable outcomes, these pronouncements risk being perceived as mere rhetoric. This visit to Turkey should serve as an opportunity to showcase a considered and pragmatic foreign policy direction, rather than simply a ceremonial diplomatic engagement.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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