RI, A'lia Discuss Cooperation in defense Industry

Jakarta, Sept 5 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Australia discussed possibilities for cooperation in the defense industry to meet defense needs here on Wednesday. "The two countries wish to increase cooperation in the defense industry based on principles of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity," Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said after a meeting between the two countries` defense ministry officials at his office. Attending the meeting from Indonesia were research and technology minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta, vice defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, the secretary general of the ministry of defense, Vice Marshal Eris Heryanto and a team from the Committee of Defense Industry Policy and officials from state-owned companies. Australia meanwhile was represented by defense minister Stephen Francis Smith, minister for weapon systems, domestic and legal affairs Jason Dean Clare and defense ministry`s secretary general Ducan Edward Lewis. This was the first defense industry meeting between the two countries, held to follow up the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries` ministers of defense and the Indonesian defense minister`s visit to Darwin, Australia in May this year. The Australian delegation has been in Indonesia for two days. Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Stepnen Francis Smith signed an "Arrangement Between MoD Indonesia and Dod Australia for Implementation of the Agreement Between the Republic of Indonesia and Australia on the Framework on Security Cooperation and Its Plan of Action on Defense Cooperation." The signing of the cooperation is aimed at strengthening and developing friendly relations and cooperation in the fields of defense and military. The cooperation covers defense policy, relations among offices, counter-terrorism, maritime security, humanitarian aid and disaster rehabilitation, military logistical support, medical service, peace maintenance, intelligence, defense industry, materials, science and technology, education, military training and defense management. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said in external context the two countries could jointly conduct a confidence building mission. "We will jointly avoid things that potentially could cause conflict. That is what the meeting is for. What is important is the two sides would benefit," he said. The visit of the Australian defense minister to Indonesia was also for sharing information on defense industrial products owned by the two countries. "We match, we share information about the products. There will be a mutual meeting on military products. We have a big market for non-military hardware such as uniforms. A working group will be set up for it before the Indo Defense (Expo in November)," he said