Mattis seeks closer ties with Indonesia, Vietnam in Asia trip

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Monday he looked forward to cementing the United States' ties with Indonesia and Vietnam during his week-long trip to the two countries.

"We're going to continue our efforts to maritime cooperation, but also support Indonesia as a sort of fulcrum between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean," according to the transcripts provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) of conversations between Mattis and the reporters accompanying him on a plane to Jakarta.

Answering questions as to what he hoped to achieve in Vietnam, the defense secretary said he would "just sit down and talk with" Vietnamese officials and seek "pragmatic steps" to move the two militaries' relationship to "one of trust and collaboration."

It will be Mattis' first visit to both Indonesia and Vietnam as U.S. defense secretary. "I'll be doing a lot of listening," he said, adding he had a "full agenda" with his counterparts in the two countries.

The secretary will meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu during his three-day stay before heading to Hanoi. Mattis however, did not reveal his Vietnam schedule. Enditem