Defence Dialog Aims To Help Create Peaceful Environment

Jakarta, March 20 (Antara) - Jakarta International Defense Dialogue (JIDD) 2013 is expected to help create a peaceful world environment through military cooperation and discussions, Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said. "The third JIDD is aimed at facilitating the creation of conducive environment for peace and stable condition which is supported by transparency, trust and cooperation," said Minister Purnomo at the opening of JIDD 2013, here, Wednesday. According to him, the selection of the theme, which is "Defense and Diplomacy in The Asia-Pacific Region", was looking at the security and defense condition in the region. He said the military sector in each country needs the trust and cooperation to be developed with counterparts from other countries. Purnomo said the rapidly climbing military spending of several countries reflects the stronger defense capabilities in each region. "If the defense capabilities are not accompanied by transparency, confidence and trust, it would trigger distrust and affect peace and regional stability," said Minister Purnomo. Related to existing border problems, Purnomo said, each country is impossible to confront the issue by their own capability. "We need confidence building, dialogue and cooperation as the current requirement and hence the relevance of the defense and diplomacy," said Purnomo. According to the minister, the two-day event being held at the Jakarta Convention Center, from March 20 to 21, 2013, is being attended by hundreds of participants from 38 countries. The participants include government and military officials, international state organization and private sector representatives, international experts, NGO activists, media people, and students from defense universities. The minister said the forum will facilitate the experts in discussing the current and evolving trends in the region as well as to enhance government-to-government and military-to-military confidence building and to help facilitate ongoing and new multilateral initiatives. Purnomo said there are six sessions of discussion which will be divided into two days. On the first day, the JIDD 2013 will discuss "The Rise of Asia and New Geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific Region", and "The Impacts of Asia Economic Power, Defense and Diplomacy. While on the second day, the event will hold discussions about "Evolving Threats and Challenges in Asia Pacific", "Troubled Waters", "Maritime Challenges in Asia Pacific", "Porous Borders", "Stronger Control and Cooperation and Modern Military", and "Growing Capability and Expanding Industry".