President Aquino and Indonesia’s President Widodo to tackle matters on mutual concern

President Joko Widodo of Indonesia

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III and Indonesia’s new President Joko Widodo are set to discuss matters on mutual concerns including defense and economic cooperation when the two leaders meet on Monday in Malacanang.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Widodo would pay courtesy call on President Aquino on Monday afternoon to be followed by a state dinner for the visiting leader of Indonesia.

”President Widodo will meet President Aquino to discuss matters on mutual concerns including issues about migrant workers, maritime cooperation, defense, trade and investment, people-to-people exchange and others,” Coloma announced in state-run Radio ng Bayan on Sunday.

Widodo, who assumed the presidency only on October 20, 2014, arrived on Sunday for a three-nation introductory visit that also include Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

”According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the three-day visit of President Widodo is part of displaying cooperation with his fellow leaders of the ASEAN countries,” Coloma said.

Indonesia was the Philippines’ 11th-largest trade partner in 2013, with total trade amounting to USD3.62 billion.