TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi welcomed Japan Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono in Merdeka Presidential Palace, Jakarta today, June 25, 2018.

In his welcome speech, Jokowi expressed his appreciation to Taro Kono for Japan’s support towards Indonesian candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period of 2019-2020. As reported earlier, Indonesia representing Asia Pacific regions gained 144 votes from 190 countries.

Jokowi also mentioned Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and Taro Kono would hold a thorough discussion on the bilateral relationship of both countries after the meeting in Presidential Palace.

“I’d like to deliver several observations on the bilateral partnership of Indonesia and Japan and how we could enhance it particularly in the international forum,” said Jokowi.

Accompanying Jokowi was Presidential Special Staff for Japan Rachmat Gobel, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and State Secretary Minister Pratikno.

Taro Kono was scheduled to made official visit to Jakarta on June 24-26, 2018 to commemorate the 60 years of Indonesia-Japan diplomatic relationship which started since the Treaty of Peace ratification on January 20, 1958.

The visit would be the first for Taro Kono since his inauguration as Japan Foreign Affairs Minister in August 2017. Other than meeting with Minister Retno and President Jokowi, Taro Kono was said to meet Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi in Jakarta.

FRISKI RIANA