PM discusses possible defense cooperation with Indonesia armed forces

The jungles in Fiji are expected to be used as training sites for the Indonesian armed forces.

That was part of the talks between the Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and the Admiral Agus Suhartano, Commander of the Indonesia Armed Forces yesterday morning.

According to the Ministry of Information officer, Theresa Ralogaivau who is in Jakarta said Commodore Bainimarama and Commander Suhartano discussed possible defense cooperation between the two governments.

Ralogaivau said the two Army Commanders have agreed that despite there being no formal defense cooperation agreement between the two countries, exchanges in the past from port landings in 1979 by the Indonesian navy in Fiji, and a number of defense education programmes where Indonesian and Fijian army officers have trained together, have provided a useful basis for future cooperation.

They discussed and agreed that cooperation could be focused on education, through Fijian officers participating in Indonesian military academies.

In addition, Commodore Bainimarama suggested to his counterpart that Fiji could be used as a training site for the Indonesian armed forces.

Bainimarama invited Commander Suhartano to visit Fiji when convenient to further enhance cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.


Story by: Tokasa Rainima