United States President Barrack Obama said here Tuesday that the United States would expand cooperation in trade and investment and deepen political and security cooperation with Indonesia, according to Xinhua.
President Obama told a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart President Susilo Yudhoyono after a meeting at the State Palace that Indonesia had been a dynamic marketplace to expand cooperation in trade, investment and security.
Obama arrived in Jakarta, where he spent his childhood for over four years, on Tuesday from his visit in India.
"So, promoting prosperity, extending partnership between our people and deepening political and security cooperation, these are the pillars of our new partnership which owe so much to the leadership of my good friend President Yudhoyono. I believe that the two nations have only begun to forge the cooperation that is possible," said Obama.
Obama said the United States considers Indonesia as one of the growing markets that the U.S. would focus on and aim to double exports.
"As mentioned, we are number three right now in term of trade volume and investment, and I inform you we don`t like to be number three, we want to be number one. And, so we are going to do every thing we can to expand this trading relationship," Obama said.
Yudhoyono said that with 21 billion U.S. dollars trade volume achievement in 2008, he expect the trade and investment could be boosted significantly in the future, as the magnitude of the United States economy and economic growth (was high).
Obama said that during the discussion with President Yudhoyono they agreed to deepen political and security cooperation and prevent terrorism and piracy.
The U.S. president said he would present at the East Asia summit to be hosted by Indonesia next year.
Yudhoyono said they agreed to discuss efforts to maintain stability and security and peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
Both leaders agreed to push the G20 forum to facilitate the efforts to build strong, balanced and sustainable world economy.
With the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, the cooperation in many fields could be boosted, said Yudhoyono.
The two leaders also discussed the cooperation on energy, particularly on green energy and education.
