Jakarta (Antara Babel) - Papua New Guinea`s Defense Minister Febian Pok paid a courtesy call on his Indonesian counterpart, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, here on Tuesday.
The two ministers discussed efforts to intensify defense cooperation between Indonesia and PNG, Minister Yusgiantoro said.
"The defense cooperation, which has been implemented so far, includes joint border patrol, military official exchange visits, and training as well as exercises," the minister said.
The two countries explored possibility to establish cooperation in the defense industry, he added.
Indonesia and PNG signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in Port Moresby, PNG, on March 12, 2010 during a state visit by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Minister Febian Pok is a member of the entourage of PNG`s Prime Minister Peter Charles Paire O`Neill who is on a visit to Indonesia.
Prime Minister O`Neill and President Yudhoyono held a bilateral meeting in Jakarta on Monday (June 17).
President Yudhoyono considered the state visit of the PNG prime minister this time very significant for developing and increasing the cooperation between the two countries following the meetings before in Honolulu and in the Bali Democracy Forum last year.
"This visit is very important not only for the two countries` bilateral relations but also for increasing and strengthening our relations and partnership. We have agreed to work more and seek more opportunities and comprehensive partnership," he said.
Prime Minister O`Neill meanwhile said he was glad over the warn welcome that had been given to him and his delegation.
He said as close neighbors PNG and Indonesia could continue to develop their cooperation wider.
Editor : Rustam Effendi
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