My meeting with Xanana was more of a political decision to endorse the outcome of the 5th SOC in Bali.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Wiranto, will meet Timor Leste Minister of Strategic Planning and Investment, Xanana Gusmao, next week to conclude a discussion over the Indonesia-Timor Leste borders.

Xanana will begin his Indonesian visit on Monday, July 22, 2019, Wiranto said at his office in Jakarta on Thursday.

Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will attend the meeting to end the discussion related to the Senior Official Consultation (SOC).

The SOC is an agreement reached during a meeting between Wiranto, Marsudi and Xanana in Jakarta in 2017 and is aimed at discussing the technical settlement of state border disputes between the two countries.

"My meeting with Xanana was more of a political decision to endorse the outcome of the 5th SOC in Bali," he said.

Wiranto said both countries have made progress over settling the border issue

"I have met him (Xanana) several times. But I hope the meeting which will be held on July 22 will be part of efforts to finalize the last point, which is quite long," he said.

The Indonesian areas bordering Timor Leste include Noel Besi-Citrana and Bidjael Sunan-Oben.

The Noel Besi-Citrana border area in Kupang district, East Nusa Tenggara, shares a common border with Timor Leste's Oecusse-Ambeno,

Bidjael Sunan-Oben is located in Manusasi, and Timor Tengah Utara district.



Translator: Fauzi/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019