Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is trying to forge its defence cooperation with other ASEAN member states by holding an ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) this year, an official said.

Deputy Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin made the statement on Wednesday in commenting on the results of his working visit in Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.

During the visit, Sjafrie officially extended invitations to the three countries to attend the 5th ADMM 2011 to be held in Jakarta on May 18-20. Indonesia will host the meeting in the capacity as chairman of the ASEAN Defence Forum 2011.

In Malaysia, Sjafrie met with Defence Minister Dato` Seri Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi and his deputy Datok Abdul Latiff Ahmad. At the closed-door meeting, Sjafrie informed them of the agenda of the ADMM 2011 aimed at intensifying defence cooperation between the two countries and among ASEAN member states.

Sjafrie also disclosed the same agenda during his meeting with Philippine Defence Minister Voltaire T. Gazmin. At the end of his meeting, Sjafrie presented an assault rifle SS2-V1 made by Indonesia`s state-owned arms manufacturer PT PINDAD, to Gazmin as a souvenir.

After visiting Malaysia and the Phlippines, Sjafrie continued his journey to Brunei Darussalam for the same purpose. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011