MINISTER FOR DEFENCE MEETS WITH INDONESIAN COUNTERPART

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today met with the Indonesian Minister of Defence, Dr Juwono Sudarsono, in a bilateral meeting during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 

Mr Fitzgibbon offered his condolences to Dr Sudarsono following the three recent Indonesian military aircraft accidents.  

The two Ministers discussed the importance of combined training and how this will contribute to both countries’ Defence priorities in the coming years.

Mr Fitzgibbon reiterated to Dr Sudarsono that the relationship with Indonesia remains Australia’s most important defence relationship in the immediate region, with many shared security challenges, including people smuggling.

The Ministers discussed progress on enhancing maritime security cooperation between Australia and Indonesia following the conduct of a table top exercise in Darwin in late March.

Mr Fitzgibbon and Dr Sudarsono are in Singapore attending the 8th International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri‑La Dialogue 2009. 

Media Contacts:

Clare Enyi (Joel Fitzgibbon):           02 6277 7800 or 0404 893 565

Defence Media Liaison:                   02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664