15.09.2011.

Minister Sutanovac in Indonesia

Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac said today that his visit to Indonesia will contribute to a better political understanding between the two countries and facilitate greater exchange of goods.

Minister Dragan Sutanovac signed an agreement on defense cooperation with the Indonesian defense minister Purnmot Yusgyantor and had talks with the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Soyant Dock.

"Serbia has in the past year had about five million USD of exports to Indonesia, and we are confident that Indonesia’s needs and the capacities if Serbia, above all, its defense industry several times larger ," said Sutanovac.

He explained that representatives of the defense industry in Indonesia presented the capabilities of our military industry, but both sides agreed on a common stance on third markets.

Defense Minister recalled that Indonesia, as the most populous Muslim country with around half a million members of armed forces, is a country with great potential for our defense industry .

Sutanovac said that he did not view Indonesia solely as a market but also as a partner country in projects developing new weapons and military equipment that can be used for civilian purposes.

He added that the SDPR "Jugoimport" had a very successful presentation of the products of all our 10 defense factories.

Noting that Indonesia has a growing a need for new technologies and knowledge, Sutanovac said that the intention of the Ministry of Defwnse is to position itself as a reliable partner recognized from the time the 70's.

In addition to improving bilateral military cooperation, we talked about the possibility of training members of the Indonesian military in Serbian military schools , but also about the possibility that our country’s engagement in the upcoming reconstruction of the military hospital in Jakarta, said Minister of Defence.

"Our wish is to have military cadets from Indonesia Military Medical University, ," said Sutanovac after visiting military hospitals, and pointed out that this is another way of approaching the two countries.

At this point in Indonesia there are 15 students from various universities in Serbia, the minister said .

He added that during his visit to Bandung on Java island he had a chance to see two Serbian girls studying in Indonesia, and who were of sorts ambassadors of Serbian-Indonesian relations.

During his visit to Jakarta Sutanovac gev a lecture to the officers postgraduates of the University of Defence and also visited the two largest defense industry factories "PT Pindad" and "PT D in Bandung.