01 March 2017•Update: 05 March 2017
By Ainur Rohmah
TUBAN, Indonesia
Thousands of Indonesians gathered along the road from Jakarta’s airport to the presidential palace in Bogor City on Wednesday to welcome the first visit by a Saudi Arabian king in 46 years.
They chanted "Selamat Datang" (welcome) and waved the flags of both countries as the motorcade of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud passed.
The king -- accompanied by a 1,500-strong entourage including 10 ministers, 25 and businessmen -- arrived in Indonesia earlier in the day for a nine-day official visit and vacation on the resort island of Bali.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who welcomed King Salman at the airport, said in a speech broadcast on television that the countries have significant influence in the region.
"It is appropriate that our countries can continue to improve cooperation both in the bilateral and international context," he underlined.
He described Saudi Arabia as having an essential role as it was one of the first states to recognize the independence of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country.
"The king’s visit has become the starting point for the improvement of relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, which are united by Islam, brotherhood, and a mutually beneficial relationship," Widodo added.
On Wednesday, the two countries signed 10 agreements in various fields including security, health, education, culture, investment, civil aviation operations and Islamic affairs.
Saudi Arabia also pledged to develop Arabic language training in three universities in three Indonesian cities, as well as increasing the number of scholarships it offers students from the country.
On Thursday, King Salman is scheduled to give a speech at Parliament, visit the Istiqlal Mosque -- the largest Muslim place of worship in Southeast Asia -- and meet leaders of Islamic organizations.
After concluding their Jakarta visit, the monarch and his delegation are due to arrive in Bali on March 4.
On Monday, Indonesia’s national police deputy chief announced that around 10,000 personnel would be deployed in the three cities visited by King Salman.
