Indonesia, Egypt agree to bolster maritime ties, fight illegal fishing

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Egypt have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the maritime and fisheries sectors, focusing on marine conservation and joint efforts to combat illegal fishing.

The commitment was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday.

"In the maritime and fisheries sector, we agreed to strengthen cooperation geared toward sustainable development, marine resource conservation, combating illegal fishing, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise," Subianto said in a joint press statement.

The agreement marks a tangible milestone in expanding ties between the two countries, which were elevated to a strategic partnership following Subianto’s state visit to Cairo in April 2025.

Beyond maritime affairs, the two nations signed several other diplomatic accords, including a joint Action Plan for the Strategic Partnership and a reciprocal visa-waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports.

During the talks, the two leaders also explored broader political and economic initiatives.

On political cooperation, both sides agreed to optimize existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms.

On trade and investment, discussions centered on expanding two-way market access and the potential establishment of a joint investment fund.

Subianto also commended ongoing progress in defense and education cooperation, while reiterating both nations' steadfast commitment to supporting Palestinian independence.

"These agreements reflect our shared commitment to continuously deepen the Indonesia-Egypt strategic partnership," Subianto said.

El-Sisi's visit to Indonesia follows Subianto's visits to Egypt in 2024 and 2025.

Indonesia marks the final stop on El-Sisi's Asian tour, following visits to South Korea on Oct. 6–9 and Malaysia on Oct. 9–10.

Translator: Prisca Violleta, Uyu Liman
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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