RI, Thailand agree to step up military cooperation

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) have agreed to step up their cooperation, particularly in education, exercises, and intelligence operations.

The agreement was made during the 3rd conference of TNI-RTARF high military commission in Pattaya, Thailand, at the end of last month, according to  a TNI Headquarters statement released on Saturday.

The two sides also agreed to establish bilateral cooperation in disaster management and non-combat joint military operations.

"The cooperation between the Indonesian and Thai militaries is of great importance because the two countries are still prone to natural disasters," TNI Chief Gen. Djoko Santoso said in the statement.

He said that in the field of training and education, both parties had agreed to step up exchange of visits by their military officers and soldiers.

TNI and RTARF had also agreed to exchange intelligence information of quick and accurate intelligence data in order to speed up security operations in the two countries. (dre)