Receives A Visit From The United States Parliament, The House Of Representatives Wants To Improve Relations With Indonesia

Visit of the United States Parliament Ami Bera in the House of Representatives (Photo: Nailin in Saroh)

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lodewick Freidrich Paulus, received a visit from the United States Parliament Ami Bera who is also the Chair of the US Parliamentary Subcommittee for the Asia Pacific in the Delegation Room, Indonesia House of Representatives Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday 12 November 2021.

However, Lodewijk was represented by BKSAP (Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency) Deputy Chairman Putu Supadma Rudana, Charles Honoris, and Dave Laksono when delivering the results of the meeting at a press conference held in the afternoon.

"Today we received a delegation from the American Congress", said Deputy Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP), Putu Supadma Rudana, at a press conference at the Indonesia Regional Representative Council Media Center, Friday afternoon, November 12.

Putu assessed that today's meeting between the Indonesian Parliament and the American Parliament is good momentum, especially since the global disaster of the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. The House of Representatives wants the intensity of relations between the two countries to increase.

"Of course in the future, we need to pay attention to improving relations between America and Indonesia", said Putu.

According to him, the United States is the third-largest country and Indonesia is listed as the fourth country in terms of population. However, he said, Indonesia and America are the first and second-largest countries in the field of democracy.

Therefore, Putu said, the Indonesia House of Representatives certainly hopes that relations in the field of democracy in the future can be further improved. Moreover, America will make Indonesia the main partner for the Asia Pacific region, both in trade, health relations, and defense relations.

"In the end, it is hoped that it will provide the widest possible benefits and welfare for the citizens of the two nations", said Putu Supadma.

On the same occasion, the Chair of the US Parliamentary Subcommittee for the Asia Pacific, Ami Bera, admitted that it was an honor to lead the delegation of members of the United States Congress to Indonesia. Several congressmen who also accompanied were delivered from California, Virginia, and Seattle.

His visit to the Indonesian Parliament said Ami had been planned since 6 months ago. However, due to various reasons and considerations, the visit had to be canceled several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I would like to commend the response from the Indonesian government as well as the Indonesian people, who have successfully handled the COVID-19 pandemic", said Ami Bera.

With the same tough challenge, namely the COVID-19 pandemic, he believes the two countries with various experiences and challenges will further strengthen cooperation, especially regarding the provision of COVID-19 vaccines.

"The United States Congress wishes to continue to cooperate with the Republic of Indonesia so that we can provide vaccines so that we can defeat COVID-19", he explained.

The United States Congress, added Ami, is well aware of the importance of Indonesia in the Southeast Asian region. This is because Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world and the second-largest country in the world.

"Although this is our first visit to Indonesia, we are also looking forward to being able to work with the members of the Indonesia House of Representatives as well as when the council members visit the United States to strengthen relations between our two countries", concluded Ami Bera.