"We met to discuss the progress in national security and counter-terrorism, which started since August in Bali," Wiranto said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Minister for Politics, Law and Security Affairs Wiranto and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop met here on Wednesday to discuss counter-terrorism and ways to boost national security.
"We met to discuss the progress in national security and counter-terrorism, which started since August in Bali," Wiranto said after the meeting with Bishop.
In addition, the security minister added that the two sides also discussed Indonesias attitude toward the South China Sea.
Wiranto said Australia helped Indonesia to fight radicalism and terrorism, as in crushing the terrorist group of Santoso in Palu, Central Sulawesi.
"Crushing the Santoso-led terrorist group in Central Sulawesi was done using sophisticated technology and assistance from the Australian intelligence," Wiranto said.
Further, Wiranto expressed hope that there would be a transfer of technology between Australia and Indonesia, so that the two countries in the region can independently work together to fight terrorism that knows no borders.
In the meantime, Bishop said that the two sides would wish to continue to improve cooperation in combating terrorism and tackling extremism.
"Both countries must share information and intelligence to protect each of our citizens from terrorism," she said.
The two sides also discussed on how to maintain national security by preventing the return of foreign terrorist fighters to their home countries.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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