"The MoU signing with Canada is a milestone that strengthens cooperation in handling terrorists that had been well developed so far," Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar stated here on Saturday.
The MoU was signed by BNPT and Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD).
According to BNPT, the cooperation on strengthening counterterrorism was agreed on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali on November 16.
Canada is an important partner for Indonesia in countering terrorism, Amar stated. The MoU signing was based on the Indonesia-Canada Action Plan cooperation framework for 2022-2025.
The cooperation includes exchange of information, capacity building, and good practices that have been carried out by the two countries as well as expert-level meetings.
Within the framework, Indonesia and Canada are committed to strengthening cooperation in countering terrorism, preventing and eradicating transnational crimes, and combating human smuggling and trafficking through capacity building.
Bilateral cooperation in prevention and countermeasures of terrorism focus on human rights and gender-based approaches, Amar pointed out.
Moreover, he noted that the act of terrorism that took place in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 13 reaffirmed that the potential threat of terrorism is still present and real.
"No single country can tackle terrorism alone. For this reason, international cooperation is absolutely necessary and must continue to be improved," he explained.
Following the ideals of independence, he said, Indonesia has a noble goal to realize world order that is free from all threats, including terrorism.
The MoU signing was conducted by BNPT Head Boy Rafli Amar and Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Nadia Burger.
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Translator: Laily R, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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