RI, Bulgaria agree on terrorism threat
RI, Bulgaria agree on terrorism threat
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia and Bulgaria agreed on Saturday to work together in the
fight against terrorism, with a common understanding on the
importance of preventive measures.
In a joint press conference with visiting Bulgarian President
Georgi Parvanov, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said countries
should not wait until an attack occurs to begin working together
against terrorism.
"Fighting terrorism should not be limited to punitive
measures, but must emphasize preventive measures," Megawati said.
She said countries must deal with the root causes of
terrorism, which are found in political, social and economic
injustices in parts of the world.
"Injustice is fertile ground that can be taken advantage of by
terrorist groups hiding behind the pretense of fighting for the
disenfranchised," she said.
President Parvanov also called for cooperation among all
nations in eradicating terrorism.
"As for terrorism, which has become globalized, we are duty-
bound to work together because no country can cope with this
phenomenon single-handedly," he said.
President Parvanov is on a four-day state visit to Indonesia
aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, which were established in
1957. He arrived in Jakarta on Friday evening from Thailand.
During their meeting on Saturday, the Indonesian and Bulgarian
presidents also agreed on the need to enhance the role of the
United Nations in resolving conflicts around the world.
"We share the view that the role of the United Nations should
be enhanced and that the organization should be modernized, so it
can continue to play an important role in eliminating and
containing hotbeds of tension and conflict worldwide," said
President Parvanov.
Bulgaria is a supporter of the U.S.-led war on terror and has
sent troops to serve under British commanders in Iraq, despite a
lack of UN authorization.
After the bilateral talks, the two presidents witnessed the
signing of a memorandum of understanding on the promotion and
protection of investment, news exchanges between the Antara and
BTA news agencies, and on the establishment of a bilateral
consultation forum.
The Bulgarian president underlined that enhancing economic and
trade cooperation was the main purposes of his Southeast Asian
trip. Trade between Indonesia and Bulgaria was valued at US$100
million last year.
After meeting with Megawati, Parvanov held a meeting with
House of Representative Speaker Akbar Tandjung and attended a
state banquet at the Presidential Palace.
He visits Yogyakarta on Sunday, before departing on Monday.