PRESIDENT JOKOWI WILL NOT DISCUSS FREEPORT ISSUE DURING US VISIT

President Jokowi accompanied by First Lady Iriana arived in Andrews Air Force Base

Washington, 13 Muharram 1437/26 October 2015 (MINA) – President Joko Widodo and President Barack Obama will not discuss PT
Freeport issues when the two leaders meet here during the first visit of the Indonesian president to the United States.

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi in a press conference at Blair House, Washington DC, Sunday night, said the Indonesian side will not discuss Freeport issue, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) quoted Antara News as reporting.

“From Indonesia, we will not discuss it,” she said.

Some time in the past, there was a rumor in the media that President Joko Widodo will carry out the agenda of the morning meal with Freeport.

“The circulation has been in the media is the President to hold a breakfast with Freeport, I want to say that’s not true,” she said.

Retno confirms President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will conduct business meetings with hundreds of entrepreneurs in the US, but Freeport is not included in it.

What is true is that President Jokowi will have business meeting with hundreds of US business leaders, but Freeport is not included, she stressed.

“We come here as a big country, therefore, the visit to the United States should bring benefits to the two countries and the world,” said Retno, adding that that economic issues would be prioritized in Jokowi’s US trip, which will end on October 30.

The economy will become one of key issues the President to discuss with Obama, in which Jokowi will reaffirm that Indonesia’s economy is open and ready to welcome any economic cooperation with the US and the world.

With an open economy, Retno said, it would be easier for Indonesia to cooperate with other nations. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)