VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo at the Bogor Palace, West Java, Thursday (29/10) received a visit from the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

This is Pompeo's second visit to Indonesia after being appointed US Secretary of State by President Donald Trump. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, after accompanying the President, said that this visit has an important meaning for the strategic partnership between Indonesia and the US, given the Covid-19 pandemic that is still hitting the world.

Several issues have become a discussion between the two countries, including the economic and defense sectors. The president wanted to increase defense cooperation with the US and US to understand the interests of developing countries and Muslim countries. 

In addition, the president also said that Indonesia wanted America to understand Southeast Asia and to create peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.

Meanwhile, from the United States, according to Retno Marsudi, Mike Pompeo expressed his commitment to continue the strategic comprehensive partnership with Indonesia. Indonesia is considered to have an important role in the region. 

From Secretary Pompeo's side, he said he was certainly pleased to return to Indonesia and conveyed his strong commitment to continuing a comprehensive strategic partnership with Indonesia, including in the economic sector and US would encourage more US businessmen to conduct economic engagement with Indonesia.

The United States considers Indonesia to play a special role in the region. Indonesia is an anchor for ASEAN. Therefore, with this big role in Indonesia, America really wants to establish a better relationship with Indonesia.

Retno Marsudi further said that the United States expressed appreciation to Indonesia for its role in Afghanistan. According to him, the United States and Indonesia together with several countries continue to work together to bring peace to Afghanistan. (VOI)