President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has expressed his wish for the United States to understand countries that have Muslim majority populations.
By
NINA SUSILO/KRIS MADA
·3 minutes read
Kompas
President Joko Widodo (left) with US Secretary of State Michael Richard Pompeo, Thursday (29/10/2020) at the Bogor Palace.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has expressed his wish for the United States to understand countries that have Muslim majority populations. The President also wants the US to demonstrate its commitment to cooperating with Indonesia.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that President Jokowi conveyed his wishes when he receiving US Secretary of State Michael Richard Pompeo on Thursday (29/10/2020) at Bogor Palace in West Java.
"The President wants the United States to understand the interests of Muslim countries," said Retno.
I mentioned that this issue is close to the heart of the Indonesian people.
During her meeting with Pompeo earlier, Retno discussed the Palestinian issue.
"I mentioned that this issue is close to the heart of the Indonesian people. I reiterated the Indonesian position on this issue, including the principle of the two-state solution,” she said.
Retno and Pompeo discussed a number of issues during the nearly hour-long meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta. The Palestinian issue is one of Indonesia\'s foreign policy agendas.
Pompeo also used his visit to Indonesia to explain the US view on the Middle Eastern peace process. At an event organized by the Ansor Youth Movement, Pompeo said that the US wanted to encourage Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. The Abraham Accords that the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed with Israel was part of this effort.
“President Trump\'s vision and the Abraham Accords lay the foundations for a Palestinian state to improve the standard of living of all citizens in the Middle East, and of course Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank," said Pompeo.
The Abraham Accords was the Arab countries’ recognition of Israel\'s right to exist.
"We hope that Palestine has the same view. President Trump wants to encourage Palestine to negotiate to achieve the best outcome for Palestinians. We are [upholding] the two-state solution, offering an economic program,” said Pompeo.
KEMENTERIAN LUAR NEGERI RI
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi (left) chats with US Secretary of State Michael Richard Pompeo in front of the Pancasila Building, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office Complex, Jakarta on Thursday (29/10/2020).
Indonesian interests
President Jokowi also discussed Indonesian interests with Pompeo.
”The President emphasized that he wanted to see economic cooperation between the two countries increase in the future, including the extension of GSP facilities to Indonesia,” said Retno, referring to the US’ Generalized System Of Preferences (GSP), a preferential tariff system that provides tariff reduction on various products to developing countries.
Since Indonesia has been removed from the list of developing countries, it is no longer eligible to receive the facility. The GSP makes a country\'s products more affordable to help maintain competitiveness.
Retno also encouraged US businesses to increase their investments in Indonesia. She mentioned that bilateral cooperation was important to “expedite economic recovery” from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
We hope you’ll keep taking steps to cut red tape, eliminate corruption, and increase transparency,
Regarding economic issues, Pompeo said that the recent reforms in Indonesia were very helpful to attract American investors.
“We hope you’ll keep taking steps to cut red tape, eliminate corruption, and increase transparency,” he added.
During his meeting with the President, according to Retno, Pompeo conveyed the US’ commitment to continue its strategic partnership with Indonesia, as it played a special role in the region.
"Indonesia is an anchor in the region. Therefore, the United States wants to maintain a good relationship with Indonesia,” she said.
On the other hand, President Jokowi expressed his hope that the US would better understand Southeast Asia and that together with Southeast Asian countries, the US would help maintain peace and improve prosperity in the region.
