TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The governments of Indonesia and Portugal have agreed to cooperate in assisting in the development of Timor Leste.

"We discussed the possibility of cooperation with Portugal, Indonesia and Timor Leste. We can do much to help Timor Leste in the fields of democracy and economy," stated President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a joint press conference with Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva at the Portuguese Presidential Palacio de Belem, as quoted by Antara News.

President Yudhoyono said that with this assistance, Timor Leste, is expected to benefit from the cooperation.

In the meantime, President Silva said Indonesia, Portugal and Timor Leste have good relations.

"That can explain how Timor Leste can be assisted in developing its economy," he said.

The one-hour meeting between the two heads of state included discussions on various matters relating to cooperation, particularly after the two countries normalized relations in 1999.

"I am convinced that with the current visit, we can find cooperation opportunities in the future. I agreed to cooperate in the economic field. We also have potentials to increase cooperation in the maritime and fisheries sectors," President Yudhoyono said.

President Yudhoyono also touched on the efforts of both nations to increase people-to-people contacts through, among others, cultural and tourism sectors.

"We can also increase cooperation in the people-to-people relations and news agency cooperation. We also agreed to increase cooperation at the ASEAN and European Union levels," Yudhoyono added.

ANTARA