Saudi and Indonesian Leaders Hold Talks on Regional, Global Issues

The Saudi Crown Prince and the Indonesian President during their talks at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday (SPA) 
The Saudi Crown Prince and the Indonesian President during their talks at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday (SPA) 
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Saudi and Indonesian Leaders Hold Talks on Regional, Global Issues

The Saudi Crown Prince and the Indonesian President during their talks at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday (SPA) 
The Saudi Crown Prince and the Indonesian President during their talks at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday (SPA) 

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman held official talks on Wednesday with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, focusing on the latest regional and international developments, as well as efforts to address them. The leaders also discussed a range of issues of common interest and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The meeting took place at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, where Subianto was welcomed with an official reception ceremony. During their discussions, the two sides reviewed the state of relations between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia and explored opportunities to expand collaboration across various sectors.

The visit also marked the convening of the first session of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council. Senior officials from both countries attended the meeting, where a number of topics on the council’s agenda were addressed. At the conclusion, the two leaders signed the official record of the proceedings.

President Subianto arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday for a state visit to the Kingdom. He was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region; Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, who served as the accompanying minister; and other senior officials.

The Indonesian president’s visit comes amid significant regional developments, highlighting the importance of close coordination between Riyadh and Jakarta to reinforce regional and global security and stability.

Saudi Arabia and Indonesia share a common vision on resolving conflicts through peaceful, diplomatic means and dialogue. Both countries emphasize the need to create conditions that promote stability and security in the Middle East and beyond.

Ties between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have steadily grown over nearly eight decades, encompassing political, economic, and cultural cooperation. The two countries are influential members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and play important roles within the G20. They are also bound by longstanding and close ties between their peoples.

Formal relations date back to the era of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, when Saudi Arabia was among the first nations to recognize Indonesia’s independence. This early recognition paved the way for the exchange of diplomatic missions, which later developed into full embassies. Indonesia opened its first embassy in Jeddah in 1948, while Saudi Arabia established its embassy in Jakarta in 1955.

Today, Saudi Arabia is Indonesia’s largest trading partner in the region. Both governments are committed to strengthening and diversifying trade, overcoming obstacles that hinder economic exchange, and fostering deeper engagement between their private sectors. Bilateral trade reached $6.5 billion by the end of 2024.

According to the Saudi Aid Platform, the Kingdom has implemented 113 projects in Indonesia, with a combined value of approximately $670 million. These projects span sectors such as education, transport and logistics, industry, mining, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, healthcare and early recovery, housing, non-food assistance, and a variety of developmental, humanitarian, and charitable initiatives.

 

 

 



Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned on Thursday Iran's attempts to target Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The Kingdom stressed that “these cowardly attempts and Iran's repeated blatant aggression against countries in the region reveal a hostile approach that cannot be justified.”

This behavior “clearly violates international laws, norms, and the principles of good neighborliness while pushing the region toward further escalation,” the ministry said.

The Kingdom expressed its full solidarity with the governments and peoples of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, affirming their right to protect their security, airspace, territorial integrity, and citizens, and commended their efforts to avoid escalation and maintain regional security and stability.


6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
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6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo

Falling debris from an intercepted drone injured six people in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the UAE's media office said.

"Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi responded to an incident involving falling debris at two locations in the ICAD 2 area, following the successful interception of a drone by air defenses.

The incident resulted in six minor to moderate injuries to Pakistani and Nepalese nationals," Abu Dhabi media office said in a statement.


EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
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EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 

A European official revealed that the foreign ministers of the European Union and their counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are scheduled to hold virtual talks Thursday to discuss the war in the region. The meeting was called for by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

Christophe Farnaud, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting comes at a critical moment for both sides and will provide an opportunity to express solidarity, exchange views and positions, and explore frameworks for joint cooperation.

He added that Iran’s attacks and its violation of the sovereignty of the EU’s partners in the region cannot be justified, stressing the EU’s solidarity with all its Gulf partners.

The European diplomat said the EU’s close engagement with Gulf countries reflects its support for efforts to de-escalate tensions and encourage constructive dialogue.

He continued that both sides must also look ahead, emphasizing that the European Union is committed to strengthening and deepening its strategic partnership with GCC partners, advancing cooperation across all fields, and reinforcing their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.

The virtual meeting, called by Kaja Kallas, comes amid escalating violence in the region following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

EU foreign ministers had already held an emergency online meeting on Sunday, during which they reviewed the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the repercussions of the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

They are also seeking to define a unified European position toward the ongoing crisis, while discussing the situation of energy markets, regional stability, and the status of EU citizens in the region.