Indonesian and Japanese Defence Ministers Hold Follow-Up Meeting in Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi were in Jakarta on Monday to hold a follow-up Defence Ministers’ Meeting. This meeting serves as a continuation of activities conducted by Sjafrie and Shinjiro after their encounter in Bali on Sunday (3/5). Observations at Halim Perdanakusuma showed Sjafrie and Shinjiro arriving around 09:49 WIB on the same aircraft. Sjafrie was seen wearing a cream-coloured suit, while Shinjiro wore a black suit. Both were greeted by an honour guard and several TNI officials. Sjafrie and Shinjiro then proceeded to the Ministry of Defence office in Central Jakarta for a closed meeting, which will include the signing of a cooperation contract between Indonesia and Japan in the defence sector. Prior to this, Sjafrie and Shinjiro had held a meeting combined with a dinner at The Mulia Hotel in Bali. That meeting was utilised by Sjafrie and Shinjiro to strengthen the partnership and good relations that have been established between Indonesia and Japan. Both Sjafrie and Shinjiro mutually appreciated the previous defence cooperation between Indonesia and Japan. The two hope that this dinner engagement can further tighten bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan.