TEMPO.CO, Nusa Dua - Indonesia and Australia agreed put the recent dispute related to illegal intelligence action that damaged the diplomatic relations between the two countries and signed a Joint Understanding on Code of Conduct. The agreement also marked the resumption of defense cooperation between both countries.
The document was signed by Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop in Bali yesterday."With this agreement, inter country intelligence cooperation can be restored once more, even improved," said Marty.
Both ministers agreed that strong intelligence partnership is essential for Indonesia and Australia. "It is the most effective way to deter anyone who wishes to disturb the peace of Indonesia and Australia," said Bishop in her statement.
The code of conduct, which took nine months to negotiate, features two main issues. First, both parties shall not use their intelligence resources, including wiretapping, in ways that will be detrimental to both parties. Second, both parties shall improve intelligence cooperation between institutions and relevant agencies in accordance with their respective national laws and regulations.
NATALIA SANTI
