RI, Liberia to Build Mutual Understanding in World Forums

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia and Liberia have agreed to continue boosting cooperation and building mutual understanding in international forums so that both nations will enjoy mutual benefits.

"We agree to increase cooperation in international forums such as the United Nations (UN), the forum between the African Union and ASEAN and in other international forums," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Monday.

The president made the statement in a joint press conference with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf after holding a bilateral meeting in the State Palace.

Yudhoyono said the increased cooperation in international forums would also increase opportunities to explore cooperation with others.

In the meantime, President Sirleaf appreciated cooperation that had been established between the two countries in various fields, including cooperation in supporting the UN peacekeeping forces by sending peacekeepers. "The two sides share common views on the UN peacekeeping forces," the Liberian president said.

She said that Liberia would send its military officers to train and exchange views in the peacekeeping training center in Sentul, Bogor, West Java.

On the occasion, the governments of Indonesia and Liberia signed a cooperation agreement on industry and trade. "Today, we signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the fields of industrial technical assistance, transfer of technology and distribution," President Sirleaf said. (*/M038)