The Indonesian Defense Ministry will host US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel for bilateral talks on defense.

Hagel is scheduled to start his two-day visit to Indonesia on Monday, with an honorary ceremony at the Defense Ministry at 1 p.m., followed by a joint press conference with Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro at 3:15 p.m.

'Four issues will be jointly discussed, including exchange of views between the two defense ministers on regional and global security issues,' said an official statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Monday.

It said the 2013 Counter Terrorism Exercise (CTX), in which Indonesia and the United States would co-host 18 participating countries, was the second issue listed for the talks.

The remaining two issues are the government's plan to purchase a primary weapons defense system from the United States and capacity development of military personnel.

The ministry said the defense partnership between the two countries was at one of its strongest points ever, marked by 'close cooperation based on mutual respect and mutual benefit principles'.

As an example of this, the ministry pointed to increased exchange of military personnel between the two nations. (ebf)

Popular

The illusion of self-sufficiency

House kicks off process for asset forfeiture bill

Tobacco harm reduction: Challenges and opportunities