ID :
29700
Tue, 11/11/2008 - 23:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/29700
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RI FOREIGN MINISTER: AIMF TO STRENGTHEN RI-A'LIA COOPERATION
Canberra, Nov 11 (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said the results of the 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum (AIMF) meeting scheduled to be held here on Wednesday, will strengthen the two countries' bilateral relations in the fields of economy, trade and development cooperation.
In the meeting at the Australian parliament building, the two countries would sign a Lombok Agreement action plan to assure the implementation of various cooperation deals put in the security agreement which had been effective as of February 7, he said.
To Indonesian newsmen who met him at Hotel Hyatt where he stayed while here, Hassan said the action plan would encourage bilateral cooperation in various fields such as prevention of illegal fishing and illegal immigrants as well as increasing security dialogue between the two countries' armed forces.
The minister said the two countries' cooperation and partnership continued to strengthen including development cooperation in which Australia would increase its cooperation aid to around US$500 million a year for several years to come.
He said Australia had also helped the construction of 2,000 schools in Indonesia which was expected to finish in 2009.
In the field of trade the two countries also had a big cooperation prospect because they would all be involved in the Asean-Australia-New Zealand free trade zone.
The free trade zone whose negotiation process is almost finished will serve as a toll road for the two countries to increase their economic and trade cooperation, he said.
Indonesia was registered as Australia's 13th largest trade partner with the value of two-way trade reaching around Aus$8.8 billion.
He said the two countries' relations had been supported by strong pillars such as the Comprehensive Partnership Joint Declaration in 2005 and the Lombok Agreement.
In connection with the travel advisory that has been issued by Australia the minister said that it was part of the Australian government's responsibility for the safety of its people, adding that the issue had also been a topic of discussion in that country.
For Indonesia, the most important thing is proving that Indonesia is really safe and peaceful, he said.
He said Indonesia had proved that since 2005 no new terrorist incident had occurred in the country. The fact has made people abroad know that Indonesia is really safe and peaceful, he said.
In this case, he said the Indonesian media ought to contribute to maintaining the country's image as a safe and peaceful place through reports that did not create fear and misunderstanding such as those exaggerating terrorism.
Hassa said the fact was that the number of foreign visitors to the country particularly Bali in 2007 rose despite the travel warning from Australia.
He said that Australia had also faced a dillema in deciding to issue the travel warning. He said Indonesia however also had to introspect on whether its method of dealing with problems had potentially caused misunderstanding abroad such as announcing the execution of Amrozi et al long before it was really done.
Other Indonesian ministers to participate in the AIMF are Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalatta, Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono and Fishery and Marine Resources Minister Freddy Numberi.
Two days ahead of the meeting Indonesian Minister of Education Bambang Sudibyo made a visit to Australia to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and training with Australia.
***4***
In the meeting at the Australian parliament building, the two countries would sign a Lombok Agreement action plan to assure the implementation of various cooperation deals put in the security agreement which had been effective as of February 7, he said.
To Indonesian newsmen who met him at Hotel Hyatt where he stayed while here, Hassan said the action plan would encourage bilateral cooperation in various fields such as prevention of illegal fishing and illegal immigrants as well as increasing security dialogue between the two countries' armed forces.
The minister said the two countries' cooperation and partnership continued to strengthen including development cooperation in which Australia would increase its cooperation aid to around US$500 million a year for several years to come.
He said Australia had also helped the construction of 2,000 schools in Indonesia which was expected to finish in 2009.
In the field of trade the two countries also had a big cooperation prospect because they would all be involved in the Asean-Australia-New Zealand free trade zone.
The free trade zone whose negotiation process is almost finished will serve as a toll road for the two countries to increase their economic and trade cooperation, he said.
Indonesia was registered as Australia's 13th largest trade partner with the value of two-way trade reaching around Aus$8.8 billion.
He said the two countries' relations had been supported by strong pillars such as the Comprehensive Partnership Joint Declaration in 2005 and the Lombok Agreement.
In connection with the travel advisory that has been issued by Australia the minister said that it was part of the Australian government's responsibility for the safety of its people, adding that the issue had also been a topic of discussion in that country.
For Indonesia, the most important thing is proving that Indonesia is really safe and peaceful, he said.
He said Indonesia had proved that since 2005 no new terrorist incident had occurred in the country. The fact has made people abroad know that Indonesia is really safe and peaceful, he said.
In this case, he said the Indonesian media ought to contribute to maintaining the country's image as a safe and peaceful place through reports that did not create fear and misunderstanding such as those exaggerating terrorism.
Hassa said the fact was that the number of foreign visitors to the country particularly Bali in 2007 rose despite the travel warning from Australia.
He said that Australia had also faced a dillema in deciding to issue the travel warning. He said Indonesia however also had to introspect on whether its method of dealing with problems had potentially caused misunderstanding abroad such as announcing the execution of Amrozi et al long before it was really done.
Other Indonesian ministers to participate in the AIMF are Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalatta, Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono and Fishery and Marine Resources Minister Freddy Numberi.
Two days ahead of the meeting Indonesian Minister of Education Bambang Sudibyo made a visit to Australia to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and training with Australia.
***4***
