US State Secretary Pompeo to Visit Jakarta This Week
Jakarta. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is going to meet with her American counterpart, Michael Pompeo, in Jakarta this weekend to discuss ways to strengthen the Indonesia-US strategic partnership and Indonesia's Indo-Pacific cooperation concept.
Indonesia and the US will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations next year.
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a press statement issued on Monday (30/07) that Pompeo will discuss with Retno advancing shared security, trade and investment goals.
This will be Pompeo's first visit to Jakarta, and his second meeting with Retno.
Both will also take part in a series of sessions in Singapore this week during the 51st Asean Ministerial Meeting attended by the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the bloc's partners, including the US.
Pompeo's participation in the meeting is part of US' dedication to the regional bloc, the statement said, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In accordance with its foreign policy priorities this year, Indonesia has been vocal about developing the Indo-Pacific cooperation concept, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and dialogue.
The concept was discussed in a number of high-level meetings this year, including between Retno and her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, as well as between President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As Indonesia is not the only country to orient its foreign policy toward the Indo-Pacific region, further discussions are to follow to reach a consensus among all stakeholders.
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