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Indonesia gears up for bilateral, multilateral meetings in US
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi is in Washington DC to strengthen Indonesia's existing strategic partnership with the United States, following heartening signs from the White House regarding its ongoing commitment in the Asia-Pacific.
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Foreign Ministry Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, commonly known as Retno Marsudi (Monday, Jan 30, 2017). (JP/P.J.LEO)
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oreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi will seek to strengthen Indonesia's existing strategic partnership with the United States, following heartening signs from the White House regarding its ongoing commitment in the Asia-Pacific.
"Indonesia is ready to fortify its [ties] with the US through mutually beneficial cooperation," Retno said in a statement upon her arrival in Washington DC, late on Wednesday local time.
The minister is in the US capital for two days for bilateral talks with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and to pay a reciprocal courtesy call to Vice President Mike Pence who came to Jakarta last month.
Indonesia was the only Southeast Asian country visited during Pence's recent maiden tour of the Asia-Pacific, a move which looked to dispel fears that the new US government plans to pivot away from the region.
Retno is also expected to meet US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and engage in discussions with Trump's homeland security and counterterrorism advisor, Thomas Bossert, afterwards.
Besides delving into possible concerted efforts to combat terrorism and radicalism through a soft power approach, other issues that will likely be raised in bilateral talks include economic cooperation, the Palestine agenda and efforts to maintain regional peace and stability.
In addition to bilateral consultations, Retno will also meet her regional counterparts for a special ASEAN-US foreign ministers meeting with Tillerson, the first of such meetings since the Trump administration took office more than 100 days ago. (ipa)
