"We welcome any efforts to strengthen and create harmonious defense cooperation between the two countries and are open to exploring all potential defense cooperation that provides mutual benefits," he stated in a statement released on Wednesday.
Subianto made the statement while receiving a courtesy call from Singapore's Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean at the Defense Ministry office in Jakarta, Tuesday (February 28).
During the meeting, he lauded the Singaporean government for completing the domestic requirements for defense cooperation between the two countries.
In accordance with the joint statement issued in January 2022, the Indonesian Defense Ministry is committed to maintaining and strengthening cooperation in the defense sector through bilateral policy dialogue and consultation on security issues of common interest, he said.
Subianto recommended that the Implementing Agreement (IA) for military training areas and education be a priority topic for defense cooperation between the two countries.
He said education was one of the priority areas for cooperation with Singapore, and to this end, his side seeks to intensify cooperation in this area.
He also invited personnel of the Singapore Armed Forces to take up a master's program at the Indonesian Defense University (Unhan).
The minister noted that Unhan offers several educational programs, such as defense diplomacy, asymmetric warfare, and defense management.
Unhan has accepted international students from Australia, China, India, Malaysia, and several other countries.
In January 2022, a joint statement was issued by the defense ministers of the two countries regarding the concrete commitment to enact the 2007 Defense Cooperation Agreement.
On February 27, 2023, during a courtesy call from the Chief of the Singaporean Defense Force, Lieutenant General Melvyn Ong, Subianto expressed his support for military cooperation between the two countries based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and respect for sovereignty.
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Translator: Imam B, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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