"We also want to give contribution to the security resolution in Southern Philippines, and Indonesia is willing to become the International Monitoring Team`s member," he said.
Speaking at a joint-press conference with Filipino President Benigno S. Aquino III at the State Palace here, President Yudhoyono said the willingness was an evidence of the two countries` good friendship.
It was a need for Indonesia to help the Philippines because that country had ever assisted Indonesia in observing the peace process in Aceh province, he said.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the monitoring team members would observe the Filipino government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)`s negotiation process.
As the head of state had hinted, Indonesia had agreed to join the team he said.
However, Natalegawa said he could not yet elaborate the countries that had been willing to join the team besides Indonesia.
Indonesia had been assisting the Philippines regarding the negotiation process with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), he said.
Indonesia had even facilitated the two parties` negotiation by deploying an observing team to ensure a peace agreement, he said.
The Filipino President Benigno S.Aquino III was in Indonesia for a brief state visit. He was directly welcomed by President Yudhoyono in a state ceremony.
The two ASEAN leaders witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding on such sectors as maritime border line, handling cross border crimes, and basic education, youth and sports.
On the maritime border line, the two governments agreed to intensify their talks in the future.
On the sideline of his state visit, Pelita Harapan University awarded him with the honorary doctorate title in law.
On Tuesday evening, President Yudhoyono and his counterpart, President Benigno S. Aquino III had a state dinner at the presidential palace.(*)
(T.SYS/R013/H-YH)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
