Indonesia and the United States Agree to Enhance Partnership to Become a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

President Joko Widodo (right) shook hands with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of a series of activities at the G20 Indonesia Summit in Bali. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesia continues to be committed to multilateralism and free and active politics, and strives to strengthen partnerships with friendly countries throughout the world.

It is hoped that increasing Indonesia's cooperation with various countries will certainly create conditions that are more conducive to economic development, innovation and world peace.

During a visit to Washington DC, United States, Monday, November 13, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto was also present to accompany Indonesian President Joko Widodo in a bilateral meeting at the White House. The arrival of President Jokowi and his delegation was welcomed by United States President Joe Biden.

The meeting between Indonesia and the United States marked their commitment to strengthening cooperation in various fields. During the meeting, Indonesia viewed the importance of building mutually beneficial partnerships to overcome global challenges and encourage sustainable economic growth, as well as contribute to world peace.

Through this meeting, President Joko Widodo had the opportunity to invite President Joe Biden to take part in maintaining world peace, considering that the US contribution is considered important in realizing world peace.

One of the most awaited contributions is the big role the US will play in providing peace for the Palestinian people.

"I really hope that the US can show leadership and be at the forefront to defend justice and humanity for the Palestinian people, for peace and Palestinian independence based on a two-state solution," said President Joko Widodo to President Joe Biden.

Apart from that, Indonesia also appreciates the increasingly better developments regarding the dynamics of relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China, with the re-opening of strategic communication channels between the US and the PRC.

It is clear that Indonesia and ASEAN will not allow the Indo-Pacific to become a region used as an arena for the struggle for influence by the world's major powers.

Indonesia also hopes for ASEAN countries' access to the US market, especially through support for the implementation of AOIP.

On the same occasion, Indonesia welcomed the agreement between the two countries to upgrade the status of the RI-US partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

In a number of CSPs that will be carried out, trade cooperation will be one of the focuses.

Both countries certainly need to create reforms to increase trade, one of which is by extending the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) facility to Indonesia.

Indonesia urges the US Congress to speed up the ratification of the GSP considering its importance to the supply chain and reduced US dependence on PRC imports.

Indonesia emphasizes that wider and more inclusive market access through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is of course also very important in order to accommodate the interests of developing countries, including the use of green subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act.

In investment and development cooperation, Indonesia welcomes the interest of US investors in the Development of the Archipelago Capital City (IKN), while encouraging investors to also help realize a number of other strategic projects in Indonesia.