Palace: Talks needed on Indonesia’s defense trade offer

MANILA, Philippines - Further talks are needed with regard to Indonesia’s offer of defense equipment, Malacañang said yesterday.

“Further discussions will be pursued... to identify and flesh out possible areas of cooperation,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on the offer made during the visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

In a statement after meeting with Aquino, Widodo said he was happy to have discussed political, legal and security issues, including the “potential that we would like to offer on the trade of defense equipment.”

Coloma said Widodo also welcomed the joint declaration signed by the two countries to improve cooperation to combat drug trafficking.

With regard to border cooperation, Widodo noted the resumption of negotiations on the continental shelf border and the review of the border and border patrol agreements signed in 1975.

“I also appreciate the Philippines’ involvement in the protection of migrants and migrant workers and also with respect to the economic field and cooperation, I would like to increase our trade volume, to double the trade volume by 2016,” Widodo said.

He invited Philippine businessmen to invest in Indonesia’s maritime and fisheries sectors.

Widodo likewise cited the need for people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in the education sector, citing the sister school program initiative and exchange of students and teachers.

The memorandum of understanding for cooperation in technical-vocational education and training was also signed during Widodo’s visit.

In his toast during the state dinner, Aquino said Widodo’s visit was a good opportunity to build on the trust and confidence he enjoyed with his predecessor, former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Aquino said Indonesia and the Philippines both sought to nurture relations, not only for the benefit of their peoples, but also for their partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the entire global community.

“Together, our countries proved that friends can sit across from each other, engage in open dialogue and resolve differences under the rule of law,” he said.

Aquino said the two countries shared values on democracy, true freedom and inclusive prosperity, both inspired by Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios.”

“Just as Dr. Rizal’s death inspired our forebears to persevere in the fight for justice and independence, it is said that Rosihan Anwar’s translation of his words inspired Indonesians during your country’s struggle for independence,” he said, referring to the Indonesian journalist who translated Rizal’s poem.