Minister Prabowo meets Serbian President Vui to boost cooperation

Jakarta, July 30 (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Serbian President Aleksandar Vui stated their commitment to strengthening cooperation in defense and other sectors.

Prabowo paid a visit to Belgrade, Serbia, on Monday local time after visiting France last week.

"We are committed to improving relations and cooperation between Indonesia and Serbia in the defense, economy, and other sectors of mutual interest," Prabowo noted in a statement from his office confirmed on Tuesday.

The ministry's Head of the Public Relations Bureau, Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha, stated that the two leaders also discussed strategies to expand the scope of cooperation and improve friendly relations.

At the meeting, President Vui said his side is keen to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation in the defense, economy, and other mutually beneficial sectors for the two countries.

"I expressed my gratitude to Indonesia for its consistency in supporting Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Indonesia's support is also reflected in the ASEAN forum regarding Serbia's request to strengthen political relations and comprehensive cooperation with ASEAN members," the president remarked.

At the Serbian Presidential Palace, Prabowo's arrival was also welcomed by Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gaši.

During the meeting, Prabowo was accompanied by Indonesian Ambassador to Serbia, M. Chandra Widya Yudha; Serbia's Chargé d'Affaires ad Interim to Indonesia in Jakarta Marija Boskovic; and Indonesian Defense Attaché in Belgrade, Colonel Prayogha Erawan.

Meanwhile, the Serbian president, in addition to being accompanied by his defense minister, was also accompanied by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric.

After visiting Belgrade, Prabowo continued his journey to Ankara, Turkey, on Monday local time. He arrived at the Esenboga International Airport, Ankara, at around 17:20 local time and was greeted by Turkish Defense Minister Sn. Yasar Guler, Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Ahmad Rizal Purnama, and Indonesian Defense Attaché to Turkey in Ankara Colonel Mohammad Amir Ali Akbar.

In Ankara, Prabowo is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish defense minister, and the Turkish foreign minister.