Jokowi to Meet U.S. President Joe Biden at White House Next Monday
Translator
Najla Nur Fauziyah
Editor
Laila Afifa
Rabu, 8 November 2023 22:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is expected to meet U.S. President Joe Biden on November 13, at the White House, according to Reuters on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Jokowi was invited to the White House last September 9, for a bilateral meeting after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India. "President Biden looks forward to welcoming President Jokowi to Washington for a bilateral meeting at the White House this November," the White House stated.
After the meeting, Jokowi is scheduled to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week 2023 in San Fransisco from November 11 to 17, 2023.
Jokowi and Biden are expected to discuss various matters from trade relations to security issues, said Sung Yong Kim, US Ambassador to Indonesia in an exclusive interview with Tempo on Monday.
"We have achieved a number of critical goals between both countries in the past few years. So, I know both leaders want to review what we have done in the past but are also looking forward to other endeavors to explore together," he said.
Kim stated that in terms of economic relations, bilateral trade between Indonesia and the US has grown. According to the record of investment realization from January to June 2023, announced by Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, foreign investment from the U.S. reached US$1.6 billion.
"So, I know that our leaders are highly interested in the strength of economic partnership and I'm sure they will discuss how to further cooperate to boost our trade relations," Kim added. Security matter, he went on, is also vital. "We have a strong military relation between the US and Indonesia," he remarked.
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Garuda Shield was one of the examples, the two-week joint training between the U.S. Army and the Indonesian Army starting from 2007 to 2022, which involved 14 other countries and was dubbed Super Garuda Shield.
75 Years of Diplomatic Relations
On December 28, 2024, Indonesia and the US will celebrate their 75th year of diplomatic relations. Relating to this fact, Kim said that both governments will increase their relationship with comprehensive strategic partnerships.
"What we have now is a strategic partnership, which will be upgraded into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Both governments work very hard to create an action plan which will be relayed by both our leaders, and hopefully will be agreed by them upon their meeting in Washington," Kim said.
According to Kim, Indonesia and the U.S. have many other potentials for a partnership, namely in the education, culture, sports, and health sectors.
Meanwhile, this year's APEC will hold the theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All". As the host, the US will focus on supply chain issues, digital trade, connectivity, opportunities for small and medium enterprises, climate change, as well as a sustainable environment.
"I think President Biden is looking forward to hosting his peers and state members of APEC, including President Jokowi," Kim concluded.
NABIILA AZZAHRA ABDULLAH | RIANI SANUSI PUTRI
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