US Assistant Defense Secretary: RI Important, Equal Partner

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – David Shear, US Assistant Defense Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, said on Friday, January 23, 2015 that Indonesia was an equal partner for United States. In a discussion with the media at the Plaza Hotel, Jakarta on Friday, January 23, 2015, he said he decided to visit Indonesia immediately upon his inauguration in September last year.

The US senior diplomat viewed that both countries shared an interest in a strong region that became a basis to agree on a comprehensive partnership in 2010. The agreement was signed by President Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono and President Barrack Obama during the latter's visit to Jakarta in November 2010.

According to Shear, cooperation in defense is a vital component in the comprehensive agreement. He also revealed that the United States had expressed its support to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to help Indonesia transform into a strong maritime country.

During his four-day visit in Indonesia, Shear met with presidential chief of staff Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Armed Forces commander General Moeldoko and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu. Shear explained that both countries shared similar agendas in defense relationship that include maritime securities, maritime awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, UN peacekeeping missions, and defense modernization and professionalization.

In terms of transnational issues, Indonesia and the United States have robust ties in counter-terrorism and non-proliferation.

NATALIA SANTI