Press Releases: Secretary Pompeo’s Travel to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jakarta

Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

July 30, 2018

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore, Singapore; and Jakarta, Indonesia August 1-5.

In Kuala Lumpur, August 2-3, the Secretary will meet senior Malaysian officials to discuss strengthening the Comprehensive Partnership and advancing common security and economic interests based on our strongly shared democratic values, following the recent historic and peaceful government transition in Malaysia.

The Secretary’s participation in annual ASEAN-centered ministerial meetings while in Singapore August 3-4 supports the United States’ vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. At the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit Ministerial, the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial, and the Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial, he will engage his fellow foreign ministers on the region’s most pressing security challenges, promote the rules-based order, reinforce our commitment to partnerships in the lower Mekong region, and reaffirm U.S. dedication to ASEAN and our friends and allies in the region. The Secretary will discuss our shared commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, upholding the rule‎s-based order in the South China Sea, and countering terrorism. The Secretary will also meet with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee and Foreign Minister Balakrishnan to reaffirm our enduring bilateral relationship, sign a renewal of our Third Country Training Program which builds capacity across Southeast Asia, and support Singapore’s significant role as current chair of ASEAN.

In Jakarta, August 4-5, the Secretary’s visit will reinforce the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership as we look ahead to celebrating 70 years of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2019. The Secretary will discuss advancing our shared security and bilateral trade and investment goals, affirm ASEAN centrality, and highlight Indonesia’s leadership in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.