Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Japanese foreign affairs ministers have discussed counter-terrorism cooperation on the sidelines of G20 Ministerial Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Monday.

In a brief meeting with Indonesia`s Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Japan`s Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono conveyed his condolences to the family of the victims of a series of bomb attacks in Surabaya, East Java, last week, according to a statement by the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia received here on Tuesday.

Kono emphasized that such inhumane actions were unforgivable. His Indonesian counterpart responded, saying that terrorism was a real threat and she was keen to work with Japan in eradicating radicalism and terrorism.

Besides terrorism issue, Kono and his Indonesian counterpart agreed to take the 60th anniversary of Japan-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations as an impetus to enhance bilateral partnership in various fields.

The two ministers also discussed some regional and global issues, including North Korea, South China Sea, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In particular, Kono had asked Marsudi to assist Japan in resolving the abduction case with North Korea.

Earlier on Sunday, Indonesia had called on G20 member states to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorism, according +to a statement from Indonesia`s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"G20 must demonstrate leadership and contribute concretely to fighting terrorism to maintain global security and peace," Marsudi noted.

On Sunday, Marsudi also had bilateral meeting with the Netherlands` Finance Minister, Stef Blok, and Deputy Secretary of the United States, John J. Sullivan.

During the meeting with Deputy Secretary Sullivan, Marsudi conveyed Indonesia`s concern on Prime Minister Netanyahu`s statement concerning the status of Jerusalem that threatens the peace process and peace itself.

The G20 Ministerial Meeting on Monday will focus on multilateralism and global governance as a response to new cross-border challenges, ranging from cybersecurity to the use of information and communication technologies to the changing paradigms in trade and migration.

Reporter: Azizah Fitriyanti
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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