US makes strong commitment to cooperation with Indonesia
Huong Tra, VOV correspondence in Indonesia -
(VOVWORLD) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a strong commitment to Indonesia on Monday, a senior official said, as he kicked off a Southeast Asia trip aimed at strengthening ties with the region and promoting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam).
 Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (L) receives US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on December 13, 2021 (Photo: Antaranews) |
During his first trip to the region since US President Joe Biden took office in January, Blinken met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and expressed the US’s strong commitment to bilateral cooperation with Indonesia in economy, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after the meeting that President Widodo said he hopes the two sides will cooperate closely in investment.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the two leaders discussed bilateral and regional cooperation in addressing threats to democracy and human rights, as well as the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Blinken will pursue Biden's agenda of elevating US engagement with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Blinken will also visit Malaysia and Thailand.
Huong Tra, VOV correspondence in Indonesia