S'pore deputy PM to visit Indonesia

S'pore deputy PM to visit Indonesia

SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan will make an
official visit to Indonesia Monday through Wednesday in the
highest level meeting between Singapore and Jakarta since
President Megawati Sukarnoputri took office.

The trip underscores the close and friendly relations between
the two countries, said a Defence Ministry statement on Sunday.

Tan, also the city-state's defence minister, will meet with
Megawati, Vice President Hamzah Haz, Parliamentary Speaker Akbar
Tanjung and Chief Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Hosting the visit is Indonesian Defence Minister Matori Abdul
Djalil.

The defence ties between the armed forces of the two countries
over the past 30 years have been a "key pillar" of friendly
relations, the statement said.

In June, the two navies celebrated the 10th anniversary of the
Indonesia-Singapore Coordinated Patrol. -- DPA