TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and US Vice President Mike Pence discussed bilateral strategic cooperation in fighting terrorism and radicalism through soft power in Washington D.C. yesterday, May 4, the ministry said in a press statement.
At the meeting, Retno told Pence that Indonesia, boasting its moderate, tolerant and democratic population, has great credentials in leading global efforts on eradicating radicalism, as stated by the Foreign Ministry on Friday.
The Foreign Minister underlined the need to set the record straight that terrorism is not connected to any religion.
“Indonesia is a real example that terrorism is not connected to any religion. Islam in Indonesia brings a message of peace and tolerance and reflects that Islam is a religion of mercy to the world,” she said.
Vice President Mike Pence during his Indonesia visit in April expressed his admiration for the culture of tolerance and moderate Islam in Indonesia.
At the meeting with Retno in Washington D.C., Pence reiterated the message.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister said that the values of pluralism and tolerance are part of Indonesia’s soft power and main assets to tackle radicalism and terrorism.
ANTARA