Indonesia, Egypt ministers discuss strengthening defense cooperation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met with Egyptian Minister of Defense General Abdel Mageed Saqr to discuss efforts to strengthen defense cooperation during a bilateral meeting in Cairo, Egypt, on July 12.

In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said the meeting was a follow-up to the commitment between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to deepen bilateral relations, particularly in the defense sector.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed several strategic initiatives, including strengthening defense industry cooperation, conducting joint training and exercises, and exploring opportunities for military personnel exchanges. These exchanges would include Arabic and Indonesian language training to enhance communication between the two countries' defense institutions.

Minister Sjamsoeddin also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s role as a delivery channel for Indonesian humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In the same statement, Minister Saqr described the Egyptian military’s role in supporting national development, including its active contributions to the agriculture and fisheries sectors to strengthen national food security.

In response, Minister Sjamsoeddin also highlighted the Indonesian military’s role in supporting Indonesia’s food security, thereby boosting the rice production surplus.

At the meeting, the two defense ministers agreed to establish a working group as a technical forum to follow up on the various cooperation initiatives.

During his visit to Egypt, Minister Sjamsoeddin also visited the Unknown Soldier Memorial in Nasr City, Cairo. He took part in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Egyptian heroes and visited the tomb of Egypt’s third president, Anwar Sadat.

Following the ceremony, the two ministers continued their agenda with a luncheon, concluding with an exchange of souvenirs.

The meeting is expected to strengthen Indonesia–Egypt defense relations in a dynamic global context.