Arriving In Indonesia, US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken Is Scheduled To Meet President Jokowi To Make A Speech At UI

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken upon his arrival in Indonesia. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United States (US) Antony Blinken arrived in Indonesia for a working visit on December 13-14. In a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a number of agendas await Minister Blinken.

"US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport at around 13.40 WIB this afternoon. This afternoon made a Courtesy Call to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace today at 16.30 WIB," a source from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry told VOI 13. December.

"And tomorrow is a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi tomorrow at the Pancasila Building," he continued.

Meanwhile, in his statement, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Foreign Minister Blinken's visit to Indonesia was a series of visits to ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand). This is Foreign Minister Blinken's first visit to the ASEAN region.

This visit is also said to show the commitment of the United States to enhance strategic partnerships with the Republic of Indonesia.

In addition to meeting with President Jokowi and Foreign Minister Retno, Foreign Minister Blinken is also scheduled to deliver a policy speech at the University of Indonesia as well as a review of the USAID Project Event tomorrow.

During this visit, Foreign Minister Blinken will also sign several collaborations related to education, peace corps to maritime cooperation.

13, Southeast Asia is a key stage for the rivalry between the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, with a fierce battle for influence as the Biden administration seeks to reconnect with a region where US commitments have been questioned under President Donald Trump.

Foreign Minister Blinken will pursue President Biden's goal of increasing engagement with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), discussing the president's vision for an Indo-Pacific economic framework, a top US diplomat for Asia said ahead of the trip.