"In the realm of law, Indonesia and Australia have an extradition treaty which was signed in 1992, and we would be glad if the agreement is implemented," President Yudhoyono said.
Darwin (ANTARA News) - Visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed hope that the extradition treaty between Indonesia and Australia will be implemented.

Speaking to the press after a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the Parliament House of Australia`s Northern Territory here on Tuesday, President Yudhoyono said the extradition treaty between the two countries was signed in 1992.

"In the realm of law, Indonesia and Australia have an extradition treaty which was signed in 1992, and we would be glad if the agreement is implemented," President Yudhoyono said.

He suggested that the implementation of the treaty could be based on the interests of both countries.

"We hope we can extradite reciprocally, in accordance with our interests and the legal mechanism existing in our respective countries," the President stated.

On the occasion, the Indonesian head of state also expressed hope that Australia could speed up the repatriation process of underage human trafficking victims in Australia.

"Some 215 underage victims of human trafficking have been repatriated and we hope the 54 others will soon follow," he said.

Meanwhile, President Yudhoyono and Gillard, during a banquet on Monday night, agreed to step up cooperation between the two countries.

President Yudhoyono said Australia was a strategic partner of Indonesia and, therefore, the bilateral meeting would lay a strong foundation for the two countries' relations.

"With strong bilateral relations, we can enhance cooperation in various sectors while seeking and creating new opportunities, including cooperation in addressing regional and global issues," he noted.

The head of state invited Australian business people to invest in the Indonesian government`s Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia Economic Development (MP3EI) projects.

"I would like to invite Australian businessmen to actively get involved in the MP3EI projects in Bali-West Nusa Tenggara-East Nusa Tenggara corridor-5 and Maluku-Papua corridor-6," President Yudhoyono said.

The MP3EI infrastructure projects in corridor-5 and corridor-6 would enhance Eastern Indonesia's connectivity with Australia`s Northern Territory, he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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