President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Jan. 10, Malacañang announced on Thursday.

This, as the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed in a Facebook post that Widodo will embark on an official visit to the Philippines from Jan. 9 to 11.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pleased to welcome His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, for his upcoming official visit to the Philippines, scheduled on 9-11 January 2024,” the PCO said.

“President Marcos Jr.’s meeting with President Widodo on 10 January 2024 is anticipated to take stock of the progress in Philippines-Indonesia relations following the successful state visit of President Marcos Jr. to Indonesia on 4-6 September 2022,” it added.

The PCO said Marcos and Widodo are expected to reaffirm their commitment to deepening and expanding Philippines-Indonesia ties.

The Philippines and Indonesia will celebrate their 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations in November this year.

Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Indonesia were formally established on Nov. 24, 1949.

Both founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the two countries are close neighbors and partners that have enjoyed longstanding and robust cooperation in a wide range of areas in the political, economic, and people-to-people relations.

During his previous meeting with Widodo, Marcos said the partnership between the two nations is crucial to fostering economic stability in the post-pandemic future. (PNA)