U.S., Indonesia to further comprehensive partnership

U.S. President Barack Obama and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed Friday to further strengthen their comprehensive partnership after holding talks here. Obama arrived in Bali on Thursday night to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) scheduled for Saturday, the first time a U.S. president to participate in the summit. In a joint statement issued after the talks, the two presidents announced a 600-million-U.S-dollar Millennium Challenge Corporation compact to support environmentally-sustainable economic development through clean energy projects and sustainable landscapes projects, community-based nutrition program, and procurement modernization. The two presidents announced the planned transfer and upgrade of 24 Excess Defense Article F-16s to the Indonesian Air force, said the Joint Statement. Under the framework of bilateral Science and Technology Agreement, the two presidents decided to convene a new senior- level science and technology dialogue in the coming year and to strengthen joint research, education, and exchange opportunities. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen international peace and cooperation in light of the ongoing global economic conditions, political transitions, and other transnational challenges.