TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa received the visit of General Mark A. Milley, the 20th Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

After the meeting, the U.S. highest-ranking military officer said his side wanted to cooperate with Indonesia in the Asia Pacific region.

“We are here to help and support Indonesia and other countries in the region as much as we can. We are ready to continue closer ties in the future,” he said on Sunday, July 24, 2022.

Milley's visit to Indonesia coincides with the joint exercise of Garuda Shield 2022 in the Natuna Islands from August 1 to 14, 2022. The joint exercise will reportedly be attended by military personnel from 14 friendly countries, viz. the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia, and involve 4,000 troops.

Milley said this program had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two years. “We will interact and get to know each other,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andika Perkasa expressed his respect for Milley. “His visit is an honor. Moreover, this is the first visit of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff over the past 14 years,” he said.

Andika said they discussed many issues during the meeting. “The point is clear, we work together and train together. This will make us more confident,” he added.

The Indonesian Military Commander also said the joint exercise will increase the military personnel’s skills to face challenges. “Both on the security and other HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief),” he concluded.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo in Google News