VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto emphasized that defense cooperation between Indonesia and the Swedish royal government will have an impact on the development of the defense industry.

He hopes that the Indonesian Parliament can immediately approve the bill (RUU) on Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden regarding Cooperation in the Defense Sector.

"The ratification of this cooperation will have implications for cooperation in the defense sector, open up opportunities for Indonesia to develop the defense industry, intensify defense cooperation, lay a solid legal foundation for defense cooperation between the two countries," Prabowo said at the House of Representatives Commission I virtual meeting, on Wednesday.

The meeting discussed the Bill on Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden regarding Cooperation in the Defense Sector that was proposed by the government.

Prabowo believes that the ratification of the cooperation will have positive implications for the political aspects of the two countries, namely increasing and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Therefore, he hoped that it can encourage the strengthening of cooperation in other fields that are beneficial to the development and national interests of the two countries.

He explained that the defense cooperation between Indonesia and the Kingdom of Sweden includes seven points.

First, the exchange of information and experiences on issues of common interest related to political, military, and international maritime security issues.

"Second, exchange information and best practices, and promote cooperation between agencies of the two countries in the field of research and development of science and other related institutions," he said.

He explained, the third point, development of cooperation and exchange of experiences related to logistical support and maintenance on the basis of mutual benefit and agreement from the parties; fourth, support for the development of cooperation in the defense industry which includes technology transfer, joint research, joint production, joint marketing, and quality assurance.

Fifth, development and enhancement of military training at all levels including civilian personnel in the Ministry of Defense; sixth, the development of activities that lead to military medical and health activities; and seventh, other mutually agreed upon cooperation.

Prabowo said that based on Law No. 24 of 2000 on International Treaties, it is stated that the conditions for the entry into force of international agreements in the defense sector must be ratified in the form of laws.

For this reason, the Ministry of Defense submitted the bill to the DPR RI to get joint approval and the law would become the legal basis for any cooperation in the defense sector between the two countries. (Antaranews)