REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President of the United States Michael Richard Pence revealed that the Indonesian President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo's reception during his visit to the country has become a memory to be cherished throughout his life.
Pence arrived at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday at around 10am local time and was immediately greeted by Jokowi and First Lady Iriana.
Pence and his wife Karen were welcomed to sign a guest book at the palace and invited to join in a veranda talk in the backyard of the palace.
After that, they offered a joint press statement and then watched Pendet, a Balinese dance, at the palace.
"Thank you, President Widodo for being today's host. Thank you for your hospitality towards my family. This is an incredible and colorful reception that we have received from everyone this morning. It will be a lifelong memory," Pence remarked.
According to Pence, it has become a special opportunity for him as it was the first time he was visiting Indonesia to represent US President Donald Trump.
He simultaneously conveyed the greeting of Trump to Jokowi.
"I have become the first person in Trump's cabinet to visit Southeast Asia region. President Trump has sent me here as a sign of the high appreciation of Us toward the strategic partnership with Indonesia," he stated.
Pence stated that the US and Indonesia, as the second and third largest democratic countries in the world, share many common values, including freedom, the rule of law, human rights and religious diversity.
"The US is proud to partner with Indonesia in a bid to promote and protect the values covering the rights of everyone," he pointed out.
Pence admitted that he and Jokowi agreed that the two sides will work closer and together for the mutual benefits of both countries and their people, as well as benefits for Southeast Asia region as a whole.
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