Retno said that Indonesia and the US had established a strategic partnership in 2015 and, hence, both countries had been pushing to improve the fruitful relationship. 

"Through the strategic partnership, we are attempting to develop a relationship that respects and brings benefits not only to both countries but also to our regions and the world," Retno said in a press statement after the tete-a-tete. Pompeo left the meeting venue, the Pancasila building in Central Jakarta, without giving a press statement.

In regard to trade and economic cooperation, Retno raised the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which allows for the easing of product import duties, and the positive results that followed Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita's meeting with private sector actors in Washington DC last month. 

Furthermore, both ministers also talked about the Korea Peninsula peace process, which Retno said was "a topic that often came up" during the 51^st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting during the week in Singapore, which Pompeo also attended. 

"Once again, our end goal is denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. That was the sentiment at the ASEAN meetings and we repeated it again during [Saturday’s] meeting," Retno said. 

In addition, Retno and Pompeo also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the latter emphasizing that a two state solution was the only way to end the dispute.

"He did not reject [our thoughts about] a two-state solution. He said that we needed more time to conclude a peace plan on Palestine," Retno said. "However, I emphasized that the [Israeli-Palestinian] conflict was a concern not only for the Indonesian government but also the people." (evi)

Popular

Govt eyes September for mass relocation of civil servants to Nusantara

Govt claims 'mudik' 2024 traffic management a success

Public hopes swell ahead of election dispute ruling