ID :
44057
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 23:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44057
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NIPAH ISLAND TO BE DEVELOPED IN ECONOMIC, DEFENSE TERMS : MINISTER
Jakarta, Feb 3 (ANTARA)- The government plans to develop Pulau Nipah (Nipah Island) in Riau Islands (Kepri) province into a strategic zone in economic and defense terms, a minister said.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono made the remark after a meeting at the presidential office here on Tuesday.
"Two coordinating ministers for economic affairs and for political, legal and security affairs have discussed the issue of developing Nipah Island as an economic zone and its position in terms of security and defense," Sudarsono said.
In economic terms, infrastructures for shipping business and tourism will be constructed on Nipah Island, he said, adding that in the relevant master plan, several factors should be taken into account, including those in the economic and defense fields.
"Thus, geopolitical and geoeconomic calculations here will become the focus of attention of the two coordinating ministers," Sudarsono said.
Previously, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had said that Indonesia and Singapore had agreed on their border in the waters near Nipah Island and the agreement would be signed in February 2009.
"What we have agreed on with Singapore are borders lying in the western and northern parts of Nipah Island," the president said on Monday (Feb.2).
Yudhoyono said talks to decide the border on Nipah Island were halted in 1973 but were resumed in 2005.
"It was not easy to negotiate the border either on land or waters but after conducting intensive negotiations, an agreement was finally reached at the end of last year," the president added. ***2***
T.P008*D013/
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono made the remark after a meeting at the presidential office here on Tuesday.
"Two coordinating ministers for economic affairs and for political, legal and security affairs have discussed the issue of developing Nipah Island as an economic zone and its position in terms of security and defense," Sudarsono said.
In economic terms, infrastructures for shipping business and tourism will be constructed on Nipah Island, he said, adding that in the relevant master plan, several factors should be taken into account, including those in the economic and defense fields.
"Thus, geopolitical and geoeconomic calculations here will become the focus of attention of the two coordinating ministers," Sudarsono said.
Previously, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had said that Indonesia and Singapore had agreed on their border in the waters near Nipah Island and the agreement would be signed in February 2009.
"What we have agreed on with Singapore are borders lying in the western and northern parts of Nipah Island," the president said on Monday (Feb.2).
Yudhoyono said talks to decide the border on Nipah Island were halted in 1973 but were resumed in 2005.
"It was not easy to negotiate the border either on land or waters but after conducting intensive negotiations, an agreement was finally reached at the end of last year," the president added. ***2***
T.P008*D013/
