The US Affirms The Support Of The Leadership Of The Republic Of Indonesia In ASEAN

ASEAN (Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Government of the United States (US) to Indonesia's leadership in ASEAN and Indonesia's role in ASEAN as well as Indonesia's role as the coordinator of the AS-ASEAN dialogue.

"The affirmation of support was expressed by Blinken in a telephone conversation with the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi on Thursday, February 16," said the US State Department spokesman's office delivered by the US Embassy in Jakarta.

In the conversation, Blinken and Retno discussed Indonesia's priority chairmanship in ASEAN this year, including ASEAN's approach to overcoming the crisis in Myanmar as well as the next step for Timor Leste's process of joining ASEAN.

Blinken also emphasized the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in forming a free and open Indo-Pacific, while highlighting cooperation with ASEAN as a means of achieving prosperity and security.

In talks with Retno, Blinken also discussed the US-Indonesia strategic partnership, a number of new initiatives under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), and Indonesia's participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Property (IPEF).

On the same occasion Blinken praised the leadership of Indonesia and Foreign Minister Retno in promoting the issue of women and girls' education in Afghanistan.