Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government shared its experience in refugee handling with Timor Leste, especially its experience in assisting the UN in accommodating Vietnamese boat people on Galang Island in the 1980s, an official said.

Presidential special staff in charge of international relations Teuku Faizasyah made the statement following a bilateral talk between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Timor Leste Prime Minister Kau Rala Xanana Gusmao at Merdeka Palace here Tuesday.

The two leaders did not specifically discuss an immigrants processing center reportedly to be set up in Timor Leste but they talked about experiences in refugee handling, Faizasyah said.

"It was not specifically discussed, but seen within regional cooperation in dealing with people smuggling," he said.

Indonesia shared information on its experiences when running Galang Island refugee camp for UNHCR to process foreign asylum seekers wanting to go to a third country, he added.

Indonesia is using a "Bali Process" approach in dealing with people smuggling, he explained.

President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Xanana in the bilateral meeting also talked about border settlement and management, he added.

"There is a need for proper and soft management because the ties of the two countries` peoples in the border area is very good. It will discuss further in technical meetings," Faiza said.

Following the bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signings of five MOUs. PM Xanana is on a visit in Indonesia from March 22 to 25.

Members of Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao`s delegation include Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa, Economic and Development Minister Joao Goncalves, Infrastructure Minister Pedro Lay da Silva, Tourism, Trade and Industry Minister Gil Alves, Agriculture and Fishery Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino, Commander of The Timor Leste Armed Forces Major General Taur Matan Ruak and Timor Leste Ambassador to Indonesia Manuel Serrano.
(T.P008*D013/F001/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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