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.
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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. |
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.
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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends a joint press conference with ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan at the ASEAN secretariat, Indonesia, in Jakarta on February 18, 2009. |
Clinton said she also exchanged thoughts with Wirayuda and thanked Indonesia about some Asian-Pacific issues, "including how to forward Burma (Myanmar), to achieve the goal that allowing people in Burma live freely and select their own leadership."
Clinton's four-nation Asian tour to Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China is to bring new vision under the government of President Barack Obama.
Her visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, is deemed to have a great significance in restoring U.S. relations with Muslim countries.
While in Indonesia, Clinton is also scheduled to meet Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan on Wednesday and the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono on Thursday to discuss cooperation in education, climate change, and food and energy security