RI, Germany pledge cooperation
\nin fighting against terrorism<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia and Germany have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties by
\njoining hands in the war on terrorism, as well as the protection
\nof investments here.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a joint press briefing with German Chancellor
\nGerhard Schroeder, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said on
\nWednesday that the two leaders agreed to cooperate in sharing
\nintelligence information between their national police forces.<\/p>\n
"We agreed that bilateral cooperation in fighting terrorism,
\nparticularly in the sharing of intelligence information, would be
\nfurther developed," Megawati said.<\/p>\n
Schroeder arrived here on Tuesday for a two-day visit aimed at
\nbolstering bilateral relations. He left for Hanoi on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said the two
\ncountries would still discuss areas of cooperation as soon as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
"It (the cooperation) will also include Germany's assistance
\nto improve our police capabilities," Da'i said.<\/p>\n
Schroeder, on his part, praised the ongoing economic reforms
\nand promised to promote Indonesia's condition to the world.<\/p>\n
"I clearly see that the Indonesian economy has started to
\nrecover, however, the international community is not aware of
\nit," Schroeder, speaking in German, said in the joint press
\nbriefing.<\/p>\n
Megawati praised Schroeder for visiting the region despite the
\noutbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).<\/p>\n
She also thanked Germany for its continuous support for
\nIndonesia's territorial integrity. "We appreciate that Germany
\ncontinues to express a clear stance of not supporting separatist
\nmovements here," the President said.<\/p>\n
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of
\nunderstanding on the promotion and reciprocal protection of
\ninvestments between the German Minister for Economics and Labor
\nWolfgang Clement and Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the
\nEconomy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, both countries pledged to provide better
\nlegal protection for foreign investors, including provisions on
\nobligations to compensate firms in cases of expropriation, a
\ntransfer of guarantee for payments in connection with
\ninvestments, the right to international arbitration to settle
\ndisputes and equal treatment of foreign and domestic investors.<\/p>\n
Schroeder said Germany was looking forward to another
\nagreement for a power plant construction and building an inter-
\nisland passenger liner here.<\/p>\n
Schroeder was on a Southeast Asian tour that also took him to
\nMalaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. He left for Hanoi on Wednesday
\nevening.<\/p>\n
Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said Wednesday
\nthat the visit would revive relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Schroeder is the first German chancellor to visit Indonesia
\nsince the down fall of former president Soeharto in 1998.<\/p>\n
Germany is Indonesia's seventh largest trading partner, with
\nannual trade standing at around 3.7 billion euros and direct
\ninvestment reaching up to 440 million euros.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-germany-pledge-cooperation-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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