Minister Expresses Gratitude for Smooth Visit of President to Afghanistan

Jakarta, (Antara) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi expressed gratitude for the smooth visit of President Joko Widodo to Afghanistan by kneeling in prostration to God aboard the Presidential Aircraft Indonesia-1.

"Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi and Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) Commander Brig. Gen. Suhartono express gratitude by kneeling in prostration to God," Bey Machmudin, the presidential secretariat spokesman, noted in a press statement here on Tuesday.

The minister knelt in prostration to God aboard the Presidential Aircraft Indonesia-1 when it was ready to take off.

President Widodo proceeded with his plan to visit Afghanistan despite news of bombings in the country on the previous day and in the morning prior to his departure to Kabul.

In the midst of his visit, President Widodo received the "Medal of Ghazi Amanullah" from the Afghan president.

The award was bestowed during a state-of-the-art dinner hosted by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace of Arg, Afghanistan, Monday (Jan 29).

This medal is a tribute to President Jokowi for his determination and courage in advancing bilateral relations between Indonesia and Afghanistan, especially in pursuing the peace building in Afghanistan.

President Widodo and First Lady Iriana completed a tour of five South Asian countries on Feb 24-29.

Jokowi's official state visits to five South Asian countries -- Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan -- focus on creating new opportunities for economic cooperation.

In India, Jokowi had attended the ASEAN Special Commemorative Summit in New Delhi on Jan 25-26.

Minister Marsudi had earlier revealed that the president's visit to Afghanistan was a follow-up of the request by the Afghan government to Indonesia to assist in its peace-building process.

Indonesia has encouraged holding several meetings in a bid to build peace in Afghanistan in addition to offering some assistance, such as training, exchange of clerics, and education for women's empowerment.(*)