TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will attend the US-ASEAN Summit in Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage, California, United States, scheduled to take place on February 15 to February 16, 2016. "Insya Allah the President will be present," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Monday, January 1, 2016.

In addition to attending the conference, Jokowi will meet with with US businessmen and officials. However, Retno could not confirm whom the President will meet. "We are currently discussing the issue. We will announce the detail of the program later," said Retno, adding that the Foreign Affairs Ministry will consult with the President regarding the visit.

Retno said that the US-ASEAN Summit is a new partnership between the US and ASEAN countries. The partnership was designed on November 2015 and includes a strategic partnership plan from 2016 to 2020. According to Retno, the summit will be the initial implementation of the strategic partnership.

Last year, Jokowi also visited the US to meet with President Barack Obama. In the meeting, Jokowi presented his plan for Indonesia to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. On various occasions, Jokowi also underlined the importance of Indonesia's participation in ASEAN Economic Community and free trade partnerships with other regions.

ANANDA TERESIA