TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States President Joe Biden said he was impressed by the magnificence of Bali Island, where the G20 Summit is held on November 15-16, 2022. In his conversation with Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, Biden said he might stay on the Island of the Gods.

“President Biden, welcome to Bali. Welcome to Indonesia,” said Jokowi before the bilateral meeting as quoted from the White House’s page on Wednesday, November 16.

Jokowi appreciated Biden’s presence at this week’s G20. “Tomorrow, we will discuss and start the G20 Summit. And I hope that the G20 Summit will be able to produce complete cooperation that will help global economic recovery,” said Jokowi on Monday, November 14, 2022.

Biden responded to Jokowi's warm welcome. “Well, as I told you, Mr. President, I don’t think I’m going home. You had me staying on the beach,” he said while laughing.

Biden said he was happy to meet Jokowi again. “You’ve been a good friend. I was happy to welcome you, back in May, at the White House. And I want to thank you for your hospitality and your support of this G20. You’ve done a wonderful job thus far,” he told Jokowi.

Biden also said that Indonesia is a vibrant and critical partner of the US. As the world's two largest democracies, the US and Indonesia work together to preserve a rules-based system and international order and uphold human rights.

“And together, we’re pursuing a better future. We’ve finalized a new partnership, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, to invest nearly $700 million in developing high-quality transportation and infrastructure here in Indonesia,” said Joe Biden.

DANIEL AHMAD | WHITEHOUSE.GOV

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