H. Clinton: U.S. Indonesia to form comprehensive partnership

Source: Xinhua | 02-19-2009 08:21

JAKARTA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said here Wednesday on the second leg of her Asian trip that the United States and Indonesia would form a comprehensive partnership.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan attend a joint press conference at the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

She said at a joint press conference after meeting with the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda that the United States had recognized the importance of Indonesia, which shares not only common interests but also common values with it.

Thus, she expected that the partnership between the two countries, which is "the kind that we believe will drive both democracy and development", would "provide a framework for advancing their common interests on the range of regional and global issues, covering environmental protection and climate change, trade and investment, democracy promotion, health, education, regional security and counter-terrorism."

Clinton said the United States will support Indonesia to restore economic growth and prosperity.

"Each country is dealing with this problem, but no country can do it alone. And although Indonesia project a positive growth rate, it is clear that Indonesia needs support from its friends and ally here in Asia and around the world," she said.