Australi, Indonesia Agreed to Continue Defense Cooperation: Tirnbull

Sydney, (Antara) - Australia prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia and Indonesia agreed to continue cooperation in the field of defense.

"We have agreed to continue defense cooperation including in the fields of exchange and training," he said in a joint statement after an Australia-Indonesia bilateral meeting at Kirribilli House here on Sunday.

Turnbull also said that outside governments industries in Australia and Indonesia saw huge economic potentials that have not yet been exploited.

"This includes defense industry where armored vehicles are being produced," he said.

He said President Jokowi's (Joko Widodo) current visit to Australia was not only welcomed by government officials but also the people. "How warm you have been welcomed by strollers  and runners at Botanic Gardenia and also Indonesian students here," he said.

He said they were very glad seeing the two countries' leaders walked together to show that the relations between the two countries are very close.

"In the meeting today we have again reaffirmed how strategic and important our relations are," he said.

He said Australia and Indonesia are very acrive democracies that respect diversity. "We have all strong commitment to  democracy, freedom and also diversity. We need law to give stability to make the two countries to grow further to be more prosperous," he said.

He said the two countries would continue to build strong partnership dedicated to common interests.

"Lombok Treaty that was signed in 2006 has given the foundation for our strategic and security relations. Australia is really committed to the integrity of Indonesian territory," he said.

He said practical cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism, extremism and violence was aimed at making all feel more secure and assuring security in the two countries' territories.

"Following the development of threats of terrorism we have also increased our efforts to fight terrorism including threats from foreign  fighters returning from Syria and Iraq," he said.

He said ministers from Australia and Indonesia have declared the need to increasie efforts in the fight against terrorism by allocating Aus$40 million to judicial office to support collaboration in law enforcement and security.

"The two countries have worked together to crackdown on human smuggling and trafficking through Bali Process. This year we will launch a Bali Process meeting that will meet the government and business community with regard to fightinh human trafficking," he said.

Turnbull said the relations between Australia and Indonesia are more than agreements because Indonesia is also the main destination of Australian tourists. In 2016 one million Australians visited Bali, he said.

"We also have common interests with regard to peace and stability in the sea and on land and we have urged countries around to continue settling all the disputes and problems based on international laws," he said.

Australia recognized the important role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the framework of regionsl security and economy. "I wait for the presence of President Widodo in 2018 in which there will be a summit between Australia and ASEAN," he said.

Turnbull said  Australia is also the popular destination of Indonesian students seeking to pursue further study abroad.

"We hailed Indonesia's wish to open three language centers in Australia. There are 150 studying Indonesian language here," he said.(*)