"I will use this occasion to further discuss bilateral and international issues," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said at the Merdeka Palace.
President Jokowi at the moment was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukito, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, including Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Budi Bowoleksono.
"I also received a report over the visit of the Trade Minister and (Indonesia`s) business delegation to the United States," Jokowi added.
The President said that Indonesia is the largest country in the Southeast Asia region as well as the largest Muslim country in the world.
"We are also proud that democracy is growing rapidly in Indonesia, the challenge faced by all nations today is that how to maintain diversity with each other and respect and indeed I continue to develop the diversity," the head of state remarked.
Meanwhile, Minister Pompeo praised Indonesia as one of the United States` strategic partners.
"I thank you for accepting me here and I just want to say that Indonesia is a strategic partner of the United States and we appreciate the growth of democracy in this country, democracy is something that is highly valued in America," Pompeo said.
Pompeo visits Indonesia on August 4 and 5, 2018. This is Pompeo`s first visit after being appointed as the U.S. Secretary of State on April 27, 2018
The former CIA Director had previously visited Malaysia and Singapore.
Reporter: Desca Lidya Natalia
Editor: Bustanuddin
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
