Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto extended his appreciation to the United States Defense Minister Lloyd James Austin III for giving opportunities to Indonesian military cadets to study in prestigious academies of the US Armed Forces.

"I am so grateful that our youths, our cadets, have been accepted (to study) in the academies of the armed forces of the United States. I am very proud of this historical event," Minister Subianto noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday.

He made the statement on the occasion of his bilateral meeting with Minister Lloyd at the Pentagon Building, Arlington, Virginia, the US, on Thursday (August 24).

The minister expressed optimism that acceptance of Indonesian military cadets to study in US Armed Forces' academies will pave the way for the military leaders of both countries to further strengthen their ties in future.

According to Subianto, seven Indonesian cadets are currently studying in the US on a scholarship program, with three of them studying in the US Naval Academy (USNA), three others in the US Air Force Academy (USAFA), and one in the US Military Academy (USMA).

The minister then expressed hope that Indonesia and the US would be able to continue to further enhance and foster their relations, especially in the field of defense, while upholding the principles of mutual respect and trust for the sake of achieving the interests of both countries.

"Thank you once again for the excellent reception given to me. Let us work on improving and strengthening friendship between the US and Indonesia," he said as cited from a post on his Instagram account @prabowo on Friday.

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Translator: Fath Putra, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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