Foreign Minister Retno Expects The US To Become A Cooperation Partner In Implementation Of The ASEAN Outlook

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi received a visit from US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the mutually beneficial and respectful cooperation between Indonesia and the United States contributed to achieving stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

This was disclosed by Foreign Minister Retno when receiving a visit from the United States Minister of Foreign Affairs Antony Blinken at his office, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 14. Meeting for the second time this year, Foreign Minister Retno underlined the strategic value of cooperation between the two countries.

"Indonesia really appreciates the US support for Indonesia's chairmanship in the G20. Indonesia encourages the US to become one of the important partners in concrete cooperation that can be offered to developing countries from the G20," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, December 14.

In addition, continued Foreign Minister Retno, with Indonesia's position as the coordinator of the ASEAN-US Dialogue, the intensity of communication between the two countries will increase.

Regarding Indo-Pacific cooperation, Foreign Minister Retno said that ASEAN already has the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, in which there are 4 priorities for cooperation. According to him, it is time for ASEAN to implement these four points, with its external partners inclusively.

"Concrete cooperation that is mutually beneficial will contribute to achieving stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific. Indonesia hopes that the US can become a concrete partner in implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific," said Foreign Minister Retno.

US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

In addition to the G-20 and ASEAN, Foreign Minister Retno also discussed conflicts in Afghanistan and Myanmar with Foreign Minister Antony Blinken.

Regarding Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Retno said the issue of women's empowerment would still be one of the priorities of Indonesia's cooperation with Afghanistan. In addition, Indonesia also plans to increase humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people.

In addition, Foreign Minister Retno also conveyed the plan for a meeting of OIC Foreign Ministers to discuss humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, which will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan.

As for Myanmar, Foreign Minister Retno appreciated the United States' support for the implementation of the 5 Points of ASEAN Consensus. According to him, Indonesia will continue to contribute to restoring democracy in Myanmar through inclusive dialogue in accordance with the 5PCs.

"Indonesia will also continue to pay attention to humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar," concluded Foreign Minister Retno.