"The atmosphere of the meetings has always been family-like and positive responses have also been raised."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Turkey has a strong desire and is enthusiastic to support revitalization of Indonesia`s defense industry with the technology and industries they have achieved, a parliamentary leader said.

Mahfuds Siddiq, the chairman of the House of Representative`s Commission I overseeing foreign, defense, intelligence, communications and information affairs made the statement from Ankara here on Wednesday.

Siddiq was in Turkey with a Commission I team for a working visit. In a three day visit the team had met with President Abdullah Gul, foreign affairs officials and leaders and professionals from weapons industries.

In a meeting with President Gul and officials from defense industries and the military Siddiq said he saw strong impression and even enthusiasm for developing strategic cooperation with Indonesia.

"The atmosphere of the meetings has always been family-like and positive responses have also been raised. They have also raised the good experience in the relations since a long time ago (especially during the era of the first president Soekarno)," he said.

So far he said the team had received assurance from the Turkish government and defense industries which are coordinated by the ministry of defense "that military and defense industrial cooperation with Indonesia is done upon the basis of mutually beneficial interests in the fields of production, technology transfer, sustainability and investment."

In essence, he said, the Turkish government had a strong desire to support revitalization of Indonesia`s defense industry.

President Gul at the meeting on Tuesday evening expressed the hope that the memorandum of understanding that had been signed with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono especially on defense industry and military cooperation could be realized soon.

"The Turkish president flanked by parliamentary leader Yasar Yakis who is also a former foreign minister and several foreign affairs officials has expressed his satisfaction over his recent visit to Indonesia," he said.

On the occasion he said he had expressed appreciation to the visit.

Before meeting with the Turkish president the team visited "Rocketsan Industry" that produces rockets and missiles and "AFNSS Industry" that produces armored vehicles.

"The team is scheduled to visit a warship industry on Wednesday," Siddiq said.
(T.M036/H-YH/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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