ID :
9887
Thu, 06/12/2008 - 19:58
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/9887
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RI, AUSTRALIA TO DISCUSS SEA BORDER ISSUES
Jakarta, June 12 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian and Australian governments are to discuss still disputed coordinate points of their sea borders on the sidelines of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's visit in Indonesia which will begin on Friday, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said.
Juwono, after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace here on Friday, said the coordinate points of the sea borders between the two countries would be discussed indirectly.
He said due to the coordinate point problems, Australian authorities often arrested Indonesian fishermen for allegedly trespassing on Australian territory.
"We will indirectly discuss the delimitation of the borders because there is a dispute on their coordinate points. We still have differences on the measurement using the same Global Positioning System (GPS)," the minister said.
He said consequently, Indonesian fishermen often had differences of opinion with Australian patrol officers. "Our fishermen said three days ago their GPS instruments were destroyed by Australian patrol officers," the minister added.
"We are to negotiate with Australia on conducting coordinated patrols along the coordinate lines of our respective territorial waters," the minister said.
He said the two sides would also discuss procurement of patrol boats and increasing the number of Indonesian navy, army and air force officers who would join a management education program in Australia.
In the meantime, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Rudd's visit to Indonesia was part of the new Australian government's policy to continue the cooperation established with former prime minister John Howard.
"The partnership cooperation agreement signed during the visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Australia in 2005 will also be continued," the foreign minister said.
He said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was even expected to reinforce the comprehensive partnership cooperation.
Wirajuda said the Lombok Treaty on security effective last February would also be strengthened.
"Other issues to be discussed include people-to-people cooperation, education, bilateral trade and job opportunities in Australia for Indonesian citizens," the foreign minister added.
Juwono, after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace here on Friday, said the coordinate points of the sea borders between the two countries would be discussed indirectly.
He said due to the coordinate point problems, Australian authorities often arrested Indonesian fishermen for allegedly trespassing on Australian territory.
"We will indirectly discuss the delimitation of the borders because there is a dispute on their coordinate points. We still have differences on the measurement using the same Global Positioning System (GPS)," the minister said.
He said consequently, Indonesian fishermen often had differences of opinion with Australian patrol officers. "Our fishermen said three days ago their GPS instruments were destroyed by Australian patrol officers," the minister added.
"We are to negotiate with Australia on conducting coordinated patrols along the coordinate lines of our respective territorial waters," the minister said.
He said the two sides would also discuss procurement of patrol boats and increasing the number of Indonesian navy, army and air force officers who would join a management education program in Australia.
In the meantime, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Rudd's visit to Indonesia was part of the new Australian government's policy to continue the cooperation established with former prime minister John Howard.
"The partnership cooperation agreement signed during the visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Australia in 2005 will also be continued," the foreign minister said.
He said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was even expected to reinforce the comprehensive partnership cooperation.
Wirajuda said the Lombok Treaty on security effective last February would also be strengthened.
"Other issues to be discussed include people-to-people cooperation, education, bilateral trade and job opportunities in Australia for Indonesian citizens," the foreign minister added.
