VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Defense Force (TNI) is seeking to strengthen military cooperation with the European Union (EU) through the exchange of maritime information via the Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) platform.

“Mr. Sylvian (EU military adviser Colonel Sylvain Louvet) has prepared materials for discussion on CRIMARIO (Critical Maritime Routes on the Indian Ocean). I will invite all who must be involved in it. Starting this year, I myself am ready," TNI chief General Andika Perkasa said during a meeting with Louvet, which was followed on the TNI chief’s YouTube channel  on Thursday.

CRIMARIO is an EU-funded project which focuses on maritime affairs. It uses the IORIS platform to share maritime information, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Exchange of maritime information is expected to benefit Indonesia's security and defense.

General Perkasa warmly welcomed the cooperation and said he hoped it would offer opportunities to TNI soldiers to interact with representatives of European countries as well as exchange knowledge and share experiences.

"Cooperation with the European Union provides wider opportunities to TNI soldiers to interact with (representatives from) European countries to share knowledge and improve capability," he said.

Meanwhile, other programs that will involve Indonesia include crisis management, cyber defense, and counter-terrorism, Colonel Louvel informed.

"There are four fields, including maritime security, cybersecurity, crisis management, and counter-terrorism," he added.

The next meeting related to the cooperation will discuss details of programs on the maritime information exchange platform and cyber defense cooperation as a manifestation of concrete cooperation between Indonesia and the EU. (Antaranews)