REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi on Monday received a visit from the United States Secretary of Defence James Mattis in the Pancasila Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting with Mattis, Marsudi highlighted several issues, such as Palestine.

"I conveyed that the Palestine issue has been always in the heart and mind of Indonesia," Marsudi said after receiving Mattis.

Indonesia is a strong supporter of the Two-State Solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, Marsudi said.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi receives a visit from the United States Secretary of Defence Y.M James Mattis in the Pancasila Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, on Monday (January 22).

Marsudi and Mattis also discussed the US' decision to cut millions of dollars of humanitarian aid for UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.

Marsudi expected that the US' move would not have a negative impact on the education and housing programs for the Palestinian refugees.

It was conveyed by Mattis that education, health, woman and children care will be maintained in UNRWA programs and will not affected by the slashed budget, Marsudi said.

In addition, Marsudi shared to Mattis that Indonesian President Joko Widodo will make a tour of five South Asian countries, one of which is Afghanistan, to which Indonesia is seeking to improve cooperation in peace building.

ndonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi (right) shakes hand with the United States Secretary of Defence Y.M James Mattis in the Pancasila Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, on Monday (January 22).

Marsudi said that Mattis' visit was also a good opportunity to discuss the idea of a fair, open, and transparent regional architecture in Indo-Pacific region to promote the ecosystem of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Minister Marsudi said that Mattis' visit to Indonesia is one of US commitments to improving relations with Indonesia especially in strategic partnership cooperation between the two countries.

"America stated its appreciation to Indonesia's role in the region and they want to improve their relations with Indonesia," Marsudi.

Mattis and several delegations arrived in Pancasila Building at around 07.45 p.m. local time.

During his visit to Indonesia, Mattis was scheduled to meet Indonesian Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Indonesian Military Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.

Mattis plans to visit Indonesia until Wednesday (Jan 24).

Some issues to be highlighted during the bilateral meeting between Indonesia and US included the modernization of Indonesia's primary weaponry system and efforts in countering terrorism.

US Deputy Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton will also arrive in Indonesia on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of strategic partnership between Indonesia and the US.

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