TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro greeted Papua New Guinea Defense Minister Fabian Pok in the Ministry's Office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.
In a press conference, Purnomo said that the visit was a follow up to Papua New Guinea's President Peter Charles O'Neill visit to the Presidential Palace yesterday. "We want a stronger cooperation between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea," Purnomo said.
He further added that the issue of border security was included in the discussion, where both parties believe that the cooperation has to go beyond military cooperation, and that both countries want to involve in social issues as well. For instance, the National Military (TNI) members who are responsible for border security will go to remote areas in Papua New Guinea and perform social works or give training to local people.
"Mr. Secretary General of the Defense Ministry (Lieutenant General Budiman) once went to Papua New Guinea and gave training," Purnomo continued.
Minister Fabian also stated his interest in strengthening cooperation with Indonesia. "We are interested in the growing Indonesian defense industry," he said in the press conference. Before this, Fabian said, Papua New Guinea had cooperated with several Indonesian defense industries, such as in the production of individual armory with Pindad, and the production of uniform with Sritex.
INDRA WIJAYA
