Indonesia–Syria relations was officially established in 1950, and it was among earliest international recognitions on Indonesian sovereignty.[3] Both nations have common perceptions related to Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon issues, and Indonesia always supports Syria in international forum on the issue of the Golan Heights.[4] Regarding the current events of the Syrian Civil War, Indonesia has urged all parties in Syria to end the violence,[5] while pledging to provide US$500,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to conflict-torn Syria in 2014. Previously Indonesia has donated the same amount to Syria in 2012 and 2013 under United Nations.[6] Indonesia has an embassy in Damascus, while Syria has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are the member of Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Indonesian President Suharto visited Syria in October 1977. Syrian Prime Ministers Mahmoud Zuabi visited Indonesia, and Muhammad Naji al-Otari in June 1997 and in January 2009 respectively.[8]
Economy and trade
The bilateral trade reached US$47.08 million in 2003 and grew to US$100 million in 2008. The balance of trade is weighed heavily in the favor of Indonesia whose exports include textiles, rubber, tea, coffee, palm oil, wood and paper.