JAKARTA (TheInsiderStories) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly called Jokowi, welcomes the commitment of the United States (US) to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with Indonesia in various fields including trade, investment and peace.
This was conveyed by President Jokowi in a press statement with US Vice President Michael Pence at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (20/4).
Jokowi explained that he has discussed a number of issues both bilaterally and internationally.
“The first US commitment to enhance strategic partnership with Indonesia will focus on the areas of cooperation and investment,” said Jokowi.
For that purpose, next month there will be a team discussing bilateral trade and investment arrangements based on the principle of “win win solution” between the two countries.
“The second as the world’s largest Muslim country and the third largest democracy in the world, we also agree to strengthen cooperation in the field of peace,” said President Jokowi.
On the same occasion, Michael Pence alludes to the obstacles faced by American exporters.
“We believe trade barriers should be eliminated and the arena of competition should be equal,” he said.
Pence said, President Trump is hoping for improving cooperating with Indonesia in many fields.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Michael Pence discussed five areas of strategic bilateral cooperation.
“In this Vice President visit, we are talking on how to intensify our cooperation in the context of strategic partnerships that match the focus of the interests of both countries,” said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
The five areas of strategic partnership, namely enhancing economic and investment cooperation, maritime, counter-terrorism, enhancing mutual understanding in religious tolerance and moderate Islamic values, and the sustainability of US involvement in Asia-Pacific, particularly Southeast Asia.
Retno said economic and energy cooperation will be the main topic of talks at the bilateral meeting.
“Economic and energy cooperation, among others, is an important sector within the framework of strategic partnerships,” he said. (HS)