RRI.CO.ID, Malabo - Indonesia and Sao Tome and Principe have officially signed a visa-exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, affirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

“This agreement will pave the way for intensified cooperation in various strategic sectors,” said Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir during the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sao Tome and Príncipe Foreign Minister Ilza Amado Vaz in Malabo on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The MoU was signed during a bilateral meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Nasir and Foreign Minister Vaz on the sidelines of the 11th Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) summit.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nasir expressed appreciation for the shared vision of strengthening maritime cooperation and governance as fellow archipelagic nations. This was reflected in the attendance of the Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Príncipe at the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit in Bali on October 11, 2023.

Indonesia and Sao Tome and Príncipe also agreed to promote closer bilateral cooperation, focusing on exploring consultation mechanisms, increasing trade and investment, and strengthening development cooperation.

Both sides emphasized the importance of coordination in international forums to promote more inclusive and equitable global governance.

During the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Nasir expressed hope that Sao Tome and Principe would support Indonesia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2029–2030 term, as well as efforts to establish a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and ECOWAS.

As a partner in West Africa, Sao Tome and Principe plays an important role as a source of Indonesian cocoa imports. Opportunities for collaboration also exist in the energy sector, particularly oil and gas, as well as in tourism management development. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)