VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The United States Defense Minister James Mattis met President Joko Widodo, at Merdeka Palace Jakarta on Tuesday (23/1). In the meeting, minister James Mattis accompanied by the US ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan were welcomed by President Joko Widodo who was accompanied by minister of State Secretary Pratikno and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs AM Fachir. After the meeting, the US Minister Mattis conveyed that he together with President Joko Widodo discussed various things related to Indonesian and the US partnership. Minister James Mattis also conveyed that he made sure that the US commitment to support Indonesia reminding the important role which played by Indonesia in the territoy including Indo-Pacific territory.  

"We talked about our partnership and which common ground in term of respect from one democracy to another and I am here to listen to your leaders and understand what it is we can do to assist you, one democracy to another, you who are so important here in the Indo-Pacific region," James Mattis said. 

The US Defense Minister James Mattis is visiting Indonesia from January 22  24, 2018. Before he met with President Joko Widodo, James Mattis has met Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu. The meeting with minister Ryamizard was Mattis main agenda to Indonesia.  The two Defense ministers met at Defense Ministrys building and discussed about the increase of defense cooperation between the two countries. The two ministers also discussed efforts to strengthen cooperation within the Indo-Pacific context, in particular to create a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region//  trs-yati (ndy)