President Joko Widodo Receives US Defense Secretary Mattis at Merdeka Palace

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, shakes hands with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Jakarta, MINA – President Joko Widodo received United States Defense Secretary James Norman Mattis at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Widodo was accompanied by State Secretary Pratikno and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir to welcome Mattis at the Credential Room of Merdeka Palace at 1:22 p.m. local time, Antara News reported.

After shaking hands, Widodo invited Mattis and his delegation for a dialogue in the oval room.

Mattis is on a three-day visit to Indonesia, from Jan 22 to Jan 24.

In addition to meeting Widodo, Mattis will also meet Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.

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Earlier, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi had stated that she would discuss the issue of Indo-Pacific regional architecture during her meeting with Mattis.

“This is our opportunity to convey Indonesia`s stand on important issues, such as the Indo-Pacific architecture,” Marsudi revealed, at the office of Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs in Jakarta, on Monday.

She stated that the US has a concept to build the region of Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

The concept has been presented in Japan, India, and Australia.

Marsudi added that Indonesia also has a concept of developing cooperation in the region.

“Our concept of Indo-Pacific architecture is inclusive and based on the spirit of cooperation. We are ready to cooperate with any country,” she pointed out. (T/RS5/RS1)

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Mi’rj Islamic News Agency (MINA)