Wiranto made the statement after receiving the honorary visit of the US Fleet Commander for Asia Pacific Admiral Harry B. Harris at his office here on Monday.
"Admiral Harris visit to Indonesia is a continuation of Indonesias good relationship with Pacific guards in Hawaii. Our discussion concerns the matter of taking collective responsibility to maintain regional peace," Wiranto said in a written statement.
He explained that they also discussed collaboration that had been fostered between Indonesia and the US, especially in the military field. The countries have already established 200 collaborations.
"This cooperation is an activity that will continue to be carried out from year to year, for instance, to fight terrorism. President Joko Widodo and US President Donald Trump have comprehensively discussed how the two countries will together fight terrorism," the security minister remarked.
The coordinating minister for political and security affairs said Indonesia and the US have agreed that the common enemy now facing the world is ISIS.
"Hence, the conversation with Rear Admiral Harry also concerns the issue of how the US has an interest in securing the area, which is also focused on addressing the development of ISIS new base in Southeast Asia," Wiranto revealed.
He also added that Indonesia currently follows a concept that host countries in the South China Sea do not engage in acts of provocation that invite wider conflict.
"That is the Indonesian governments policy, and I do not think the US will want any conflict in the Asia-Pacific region," he affirmed.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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