US Seeks to Strengthen Defense Partnership with Indonesia

US Vice President Mike Pence and President Joko Widodo.

Jakarta, 24 Rajab 1438/21 April 2017 (MINA) – The United States has considered terrorism and its spread as its biggest challenge and therefore wishes to boost its defense partnership with Indonesia to deal with it.

“One of the serious challenges that we are facing now is the spread of terrorism,” Antara quoted US Vice President Michael Richard Pence as saying at a joint press conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka State Palace here on Thursday (April 20).

He stated that the US was proud of being Indonesias oldest and closest defense partner so far.

Under President Donald Trump, the US is fully committed to continuing its collaboration in the field of security for the people of the two countries, he noted.

“Stronger defense partnership will be useful for us to face various security threats and challenges that we are now facing,” he remarked.

He pointed out that the US also mourned when Indonesia faced terror attacks similar to the attacks in their country.

“The president and I spoke on how the uncivilized bomb attacks in Jakarta in Jan last year had shocked the world. We expressed our deepest condolences to your people for the attack that killed five and hurt dozen others,” he revealed.

The US citizens prayed for the safety of Indonesia, and the US stood with Indonesia to condemn the terror acts, he stated.

“We will continue to work together with Indonesia to defend the rule-based system that has become the foundation of peace and prosperity in ASEAN (Southeast Asian countries),” he asserted. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)