22.03.2013.
Military cooperation between Serbia and Indonesia
During the 3rd Jakarta International Defence Dialogue in the Republic of Indonesia, Assistant Minister for Defence Policy Miroslav Jovanovic held separate meetings with Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Chief of General Staff of the Indonesian Armed Forces Air Marshal Jarjatmo.
Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro received the delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia in the presence of the members of his Office and expressed his satisfaction that our country participated in the International Defence Dialogue emphasizing the importance of the soon opening of the Defence Attaché’s Office of the Republic of Serbia in Indonesia. He emphasized Indonesia's commitment to the development of bilateral military cooperation as the basis for the intensification of bilateral relations. According to him, it is the best way to establish and preserve closer cooperation in the field of defence, in which there is interest on both sides. Indonesian Defence Minister said that there are great possibilities for that and that this opportunity must be used in the forthcoming period.Chief of General Staff of the Indonesian Armed Forces Marshal Jarjatmo emphasized that Indonesia is interested in the development of defence cooperation with Serbia, the intensification of military-military cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and in preparing and engaging in peacekeeping operations, and exchange of experiences with the Indonesian Centre for Peacekeeping Operations.
The Centre was opened last year under the auspices of the President of Indonesia and currently incorporates seven training centres for training of personnel. At the end of the talks, Marshal Jarjatmo proposed the exchange of expert groups, which would more accurately define and elaborate the modalities for future cooperation.
Assistant Minister Jovanovic thanked for the principled policy which Indonesia manifested in Serbia's efforts to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying that it would further strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries. He introduced the hosts to the reform processes and results of the work of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia in the previous period, underlining our military neutrality and commitment to maintaining peace and stability, both in the region and worldwide.
Jovanovic pointed out that the Serbian National Assembly ratified the Agreement on Defence Cooperation with Indonesia which completely defines formal legal framework for further intensification of bilateral cooperation, and that it is expected that the Indonesian side will soon do the same.
The Assistant Minister for Defence Policy stressed that Serbia, during this year, is going to significantly increase its participation in peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the UN and the EU. Jovanovic stressed the contribution of Indonesian Defence Attaché’s Office in Belgrade, which facilitated creating conditions for further promotion of defence cooperation between the two friendly countries, particularly in military medical, military educational, and military and economic fields, with is its active approach.
They confirmed common commitment to continue with high-level visits and realize the visit of Indonesian Defence Minister to Serbia.
