Indonesia, Russia Step Up Cooperation On Security Sector

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia and Russia on Tuesday agreed to step up cooperation in the security sector.

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and his entourage met Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Budi Waseso, National Police detective division chief, Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar, Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) chief, Vice Admiral Desi Albert Mamahit, at the office of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Ministry here on Tuesday.

Issues related to military, counter terrorism, intelligence, cyber, drug and law were discussed in the meeting.

The minister remarked that participants in the meeting agreed on a number of points, such as the use of Russian military equipment and military exercises.

With regard to terrorism, Panjaitan noted, Indonesian and Russia are dealing with similar challenges in their fight against terrorism.

"We have good cooperation in terms of military. Russia has good military equipment to support the Indonesian military," the minister said.

Earlier, Russia and Indonesia discussed the issue of maintenance of military hardware during a meeting between Russian Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov and Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.

"We discussed bilateral cooperation, including ways to bring about improvement in military equipment maintenance," Manturov said at a press conference.

He said he had also discussed bilateral cooperation in military equipment procurement.

Russia is as one of Indonesias source countries for main weapon system hardware for its military (TNI).

Manturov had earlier also met with President Joko Widodo and the countrys Minister of Economy.

At the meeting, they also discussed cooperation in the economic field, including palm oil and fish exports to Russia.

They also discussed non-tariff barriers that need to be scrapped.

With regard to infrastructure, they discussed railway development in East Kalimantan as well as development of aluminium and bauxite smelter, nickel processing and aviation cooperation with PT Dirgantara, besides shipbuilding and pharmaceutical industries.

"Russia has asked for support to smoothen the process of its investment in the country," Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said.(WDY)