Singapore, Indonesia to discuss airspace management, military training

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (R) and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (Photo: VNA)

Singapore and Indonesia have agreed on a framework to discuss two long-standing bilateral issues – airspace management and military training.

The news was announced by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo at a joint press conference on October 8.

Lee said he hopes the two countries will discuss these matters in an open and constructive manner, while Joko said Indonesia welcomes the framework on the Flight Information Region.

On the defence front, Lee said that bilateral defence relations are robust and have continued to grow, demonstrated by joint exercises and delegation exchanges between defence agencies.

To further cooperation, Indonesia's Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) and Singapore's Ministry of Defence (Mindef) have agreed to institutionalise the Kemhan-Mindef Interaction Programme, an annual mechanism for bilateral dialogue and exchanges.

The initiative will allow both countries' defence ministries to regularly exchange insights and perspectives, and strengthen bilateral defence ties.

A joint counter-terrorism field training exercise will be held in 2020 in Indonesia, according to Mindef./.

VNA