Obama lauds Indonesia`s counter-terrorism efforts

President of the United States Barack Obama praised Indonesia for its multipronged approach to combat terrorism, US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Orris Blake stated here on Wednesday.

"Last week, when President Obama met President Jokowi on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in China, President Obama said he wanted to thank Indonesia for the efforts it had taken in isolating extremism," Blake remarked while delivering a public lecture at the University of Indonesia on Wednesday.

Blake also revealed that Obama had thanked Indonesia for its joint counter-terrorism efforts with other countries. 

"And I thank you for your work with other countries in the area of counter-terrorism," he remarked.

Blake conveyed that the United States and Indonesia will increasingly cooperate in the area of security and defense.

"We are working with the Indonesian Military to improve its maritime security and to strengthen its international defense capabilities," he noted.

Blake emphasized that America was keen to improve Indonesias maritime defense capabilities to complement its vision of becoming a world maritime powerhouse.

"We stand ready to boost maritime collaboration to complement the vision of President Jokowi," he remarked.

Boosting maritime security is aimed at improving Indonesias maritime defense capabilities and providing assistance to curtail illegal fishing in its waters.

Source: ANTARA