Indonesian Foreign Minister Outlines Indonesian-US Initiatives

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi announced that the government will continue to strengthen its strategic bilateral partnership with new United States President Joe Biden’s administration.

Speaking at a hearing with Parliament’s Commission I on Defense, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Information, Retno announced that the strategic partnerships will cover various sectors, starting with a green economy and sustainable development.

“We will continue to explore these fields to the benefit of both nations, as they make up one of our [foreign policy] priorities,” she said during the hearing on Tuesday, January 26.

Retno added that Indonesia and the US also have a limited trade deal, and that the government will encourage the US to invest in infrastructure, connectivity and renewable energy.

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The two countries will also cooperate in the health sector, defense and transnational security, as well as education.

She noted that Indonesia is also persuading the US to play a bigger role in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Indonesia appreciates President Biden’s decision to allow the US to rejoin the World Health Organization [WHO], as well as becoming a part of the ACT-Accelerator and Covax initiatives to provide access for Covid-19 vaccines for all countries.”

Retno first voiced her suggestions for the Biden administration to be more involved in multilateral diplomacy in a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers last Thursday, January 21.

Kompas.COM/MUHAMMAD NAUFAL A photo of Covid-19 vaccine.

Also read: Indonesia to Receive Vaccines from Multilateral Diplomacy in 2021