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WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. will strengthen its cooperation with Indonesia on climate change, counterterrorism and other issues, according to a joint statement announced Monday.
"The United States has a great interest in being a partner with Indonesia, and I think our meeting today helped to emphasize the nature of what we believe is a key strategic partnership," U.S. President Barack Obama said after a bilateral meeting with his visiting Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders "recognized the need to enhance the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership", which highlighted the areas of economic and energy cooperation, as well as the collaborations on climate change, counterterrorism and other global and regional issues.
"We are continuing to work together not just on the security elements of counterterrorism, but also countering the message that comes from organizations like ISIL," Obama said.
Widodo's visit to the White House was the first by an Indonesian president in a decade. The former furniture salesman became president last year.
"We've had a thorough discussion with President Obama on the issue of climate change," Widodo said. He also noted that the Southeastern Asian country is facing "a big challenge" now with onging peat fires.
Thousands of fires caused by slash-and-burn agriculture in Indonesia's forests have forced schools and offices to close and airlines to cancel flights.
Indonesia's disaster agency said that fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra have left 10 dead.
As a result, Widodo will cut short his planned trip in U.S. and return to his country to help deal with the situation.
