Minister for Defence - Jakarta International Defence Dialogue a success

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Senator the Hon David Johnston

Minister for Defence

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21 March 2014

Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston has praised the Indonesian Government for hosting a “very successful” international defence summit in Jakarta.

Senator Johnston made the comments at the end of two days of what he described as “very productive” talks and discussions with senior Indonesian officials and foreign defence heads during the Jakarta International Defence Dialogue (JIDD) which ended today.

“The Jakarta dialogue was very well attended by regional countries including by our friends from ASEAN, the United States and European countries,” Senator Johnston said.

“I should stress, the Australian delegation I led was received with first class hospitality - we were warmly welcomed by our Indonesian hosts.

“The interactions between defence officials and ministers were substantive, all in all this was a very successful occasion to catch up and discuss contemporary defence topics.”

Senator Johnston described talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Professor Purnomo Yusgiantoro, as “very friendly, cordial and substantive.”

They covered a range of bilateral defence issues and ongoing military cooperation including the transfer of C-130H transport aircraft, personnel exchanges and Bushmaster armoured vehicle sales.

“Pak Purnomo and I discussed a range of important regional, bilateral and global issues. They included other areas where our Defence-to-Defence relations are strong including the so called ‘2+2’ talks. Pak Purnomo and I are both keen for those talks to go ahead and we are now looking for a mutually convenient date,” Senator Johnston said.

On the sidelines of the summit, Senator Johnston also met with the Prime Minister of Timor Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and expressed Australia’s continuing support for East Timor’s defence force, known by its Portuguese acronym - F-FDTL.

The issue of Timorese border security was raised during talks lasting 40 minutes. During the meeting, Prime Minister Gusmao expressed concern about the impact of illegal fishing on his nation’s economy.

Media contacts: 

Mark Dodd (Minister Johnston's Office) 0477 389 560

Rebecca Horton (Minister Johnston’s Office) 0477 389 554

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999

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