Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a visit from eight members of the United States Congress to discuss various issues, including the promotion of equal partnership between the two countries.

Jokowi, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, welcomed the delegates at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"The partnership between the two countries will be based on equality and will result in win-win cooperation. This equal partnership is really emphasized by both parties," Marsudi said in an official statement.

The meeting also discussed the importance of forging a limited free-trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States in the near future, with Indonesia expressing readiness to start discussions on the agreement.

Jokowi expressed appreciation for US support for Indonesia's chairmanship of the ASEAN and highlighted the US as one of ASEAN’s important partners, according to Marsudi's statement.

"President Jokowi also hopes that the US will continue to support the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific," she added.

During the meeting, the president emphasized the importance of market access and non-discriminatory treatment of Indonesian export goods by the United States.

He also conveyed Indonesia's strong determination to develop the downstream industry in the country and become a part of the supply chain of the US and the world.

He said he hopes that the generalized system of preferences (GSP) facility will receive support and be implemented for Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan also accompanied Widodo to the meeting.

The congressional delegates attending the meeting were Vern Buchanan, Norma Torres, Terri Sewell, John Rutherford, Claudia Tenney, Carlos Gimenez, Anna Paulina Luna, Jenniffer González Colón, and the US Ambassador to Indonesia, Sung Y. Kim.

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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Resinta S
Editor: Anton Santoso
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