Australian Minister for Defense Christopher Pyne, who co-chaired the meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Ryamizard Ryacudu, said they discussed common interests in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing maritime security and cyber cooperation, and identifying further areas of regional collaboration including through "Our Eyes" and tri-lateral patrols.
The Ministers also agreed to establish an officials-level Joint Working Group to identify mutual areas of co-operation to combat counter terrorism and the return of foreign fighters, according to a statement posted on the official website of the Australian embassy here, Friday.
"As our nations enter an era of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and our defense cooperation enters its sixth decade, Australia and Indonesia are committed to promoting security, stability and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific," Minister Pyne said following the meeting held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.
"Australia`s defense relationship with Indonesia is based on practical cooperation to support our mutual interests in the region such as maritime security, counter terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," he stated.
Minister Pyne extended again to Minister Ryamizard the Australian Government`s condolences for lives lost and suffering caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi.
Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said Australia will send experts to train Indonesian law enforcement personnel in cyber security.
"Australia has better technology," Ryamizard said, adding that "They will send trainers from Australia to train our cyber security personnel."
Reporting/editing by Fardah Assegaf (Tz F001)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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