JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – British Foreign Minister Liz Truss met Indonesian officials on Thursday and discussed closer cooperation in future technologies, cybersecurity and economic relations as part of Britain’s efforts to deepen ties with South East Asia after leaving the European Union.

Truss said she and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed a roadmap for closer cooperation.

“We have to make sure that technological standards are shaped by the free world. And we want to work with Indonesia in areas like cyber and also the next generation of technologies, be it 5G, 6G or even areas like artificial intelligence and quantum, ”Truss said during of a press conference. 5G and 6G are technological standards for new cell phone networks.

“We are also launching a new joint counterterrorism task force and cyber dialogue,” Truss said.

The British Foreign Secretary also met with President Joko Widodo and discussed closer cooperation on vaccines and biotechnology, the presidential palace said.

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, is Truss’ latest stop on a week-long visit to Southeast Asia to deepen economic and security ties. She has already visited Malaysia and Thailand.

“Deeper ties are win-win, providing jobs and opportunities for the British while ensuring an open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” she said ahead of her trip. “Working with key partners in Southeast Asia will help us promote freedom and democracy around the world. “

Marsudi said Britain’s two-way trade as well as investment had increased despite the coronavirus pandemic.

During his visit to Jakarta, Truss also met with Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi to build on the UK’s recent designation as one 10-nation bloc “dialogue partners” and to discuss collaboration on Myanmar’s political crisis since its military took power in February.

During their talks, Marsudi and Truss said they agreed on the importance of implementing an ASEAN consensus on restoring democracy in Myanmar. Myanmar refused to cooperate with an envoy appointed by ASEAN to help with the mediation.