[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="King stresses need to deepen ties with Indonesia to confront challenges" ids="123478,123479,123480,123481"] JAKARTA - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman underlined the need for deepening the Kingdom's ties with Indonesia to confront the challenges facing the present day world. The King made the remarks in a speech during a session of official talks with Indonesia's President Joko Widodo at Astana Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday evening. King Salman said that improving bilateral relations would positively contribute in tackling the regional and international crises. He also highlighted the significance of enhancing cooperation among Islamic countries based on good neighborliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and resolving of disputes through peaceful means in accordance with the charters of United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and principles of international law. While highlighting the need to intensify efforts in confronting the challenges, mainly the phenomenon of terrorism, King Salman appreciated the position of Indonesia in supporting Islamic solidarity as well as the just cause of the Palestinian people. "There is a need to consolidate the ties of cooperation between us in all fields," the monarch said while pointing out the fact that Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are members of UN, OIC and G20. Thanking the Indonesian leaders and people for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation, the King expressed hope that the visit would contribute to developing this relation to higher horizons in a way serving the interests of the two countries. At the outset of the meeting, President Widodo welcomed King Salman and highlighted the current deep-rooted bilateral relations between the two countries. He expressed the keenness of his country on enhancing and promoting the relations in all fields to the best interests of the two countries and peoples. He also shared readiness of his country to become a strategic partner of the Kingdom in achieving the Vision 2030. Earlier, the King and Widodo oversaw signing of 11 pacts between the governments of the two countries. These included a joint declaration, six memoranda of understanding, and several cooperation programs. Following the signing ceremony, Widodo decorated King Salman with the "Star of the Republic of Indonesia," which is the highest medal of Indonesia in recognition of the King's efforts in various fields. The King also attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Widodo.
