Indonesia had so far already been cooperating in the defense field with the three counties but only on an irregular and informal basis, he said.
Defense cooperation with the three European countries would be put on a more formal footing and intensified, including in the defense industry field, he said.
"With Germany and Spain, talks have already reached an advanced stage where memorandums of understanding are being prepared for signing by the respective defense ministers in the near future," he said.
Talks with France had already resulted in an initial draft cooperation agreement that still needed to be discussed and improved, Sjafruddin added.
After the formal agreements had been signed, defense cooperation with the three European countries would be intensified and expanded.
As part of the process to forge the closer defense cooperation with the three European countries, Sjafrie said, he would be making a one-week tour in Europe starting on September 11.
He would make working visits to Berlin and Stuttgart (Germany), Madrid (Spain) as well as Paris and Marseille (France) during the one-week period.
"Needless to say that the defense cooperation agreements with those countries will be based on the principles of mutual respect, appreciation and benefit, and made to serve the national interest," Sjafrie said.
Indonesia would also seek cooperation in the defense industry field with the three European countries as part of its efforts to develop its own defense industry and spur national economic growth, Sjafrie said.(*)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
