RI, NZ FOSTERING CLOSER TIES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 8 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and New Zealand are moving closer to mending their ties one year after the latter resumed its military cooperation with Jakarta which Wellington had severed over alleged gross human rights violations before, during and after the referendum for independence in Timor Leste in 1999.

        In order to increase their bilateral ties, Jakarta hosted an Indonesia-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Commission forum on Tuesday to discuss issues of mutual concern, among others in police work, immigration, education, counter-terrorism and interfaith dialogs.

        Besides by senior officials of both nations, the joint commission forum was also attended by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and his New Zealand Counterpart Winston Raymond Peters.

        "The joint ministerial forum was preceded by a senior officials' meeting which was held on Monday, May 7, 2007," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said on Tuesday.

        To enable broader perspective of discussion, the Joint Ministerial Commission forum included relevant agencies of both nations so that this time the forum was more solid in developing bilateral relations and cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand, the minister said.

        The Indonesia-Zealand Joint Ministerial Commission was set up as a follow up to the visit of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to New Zealand some time ago.

        As democratic countries, Indonesia and New Zealand have strong basic relations to advance their bilateral ties and to strengthen peace, security and prosperity at regional and international levels, he said.

        Besides as a result of President Yudhoyono's visit to New Zealand, strong foundations for cooperation between the two countries had also been laid thanks to the meetings between Yudhoyono and New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark in various forums such as the ASEAN Dialogue Partners' meeting, APEC forum and East Asia Summit, Wirajuda said.

        He said that New Zealand was a dialogue partner of ASEAN and Indonesia was also a dialogue partner of the Pacific Island Forum where New Zealand was an important member.

        "And the two countries were participants of the APEC and the East Asia summits which had been held two times, and this matter had further strengthened the bilateral relations," the foreign minister said.

        In the meantime, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country was one of the countries which supported and kept abreast of reform developments in Indonesia.

        Therefore, progress and prosperity in Indonesia and in New Zealand were important for regional stability, he said.

        During the forum, Indonesia and New Zealand agreed to step up regional cooperation in various fields such as immigration, counter-terrorism and interfaith dialogues.

        "The process of the interfaith dialogues which was initiated by Indonesia and was begun with the first regional meeting in Yogyakarta on December 7, 2004, has been going on well," Wirayuda said.

        He said the interfaith forum was followed up with the second meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, on March 14-16, 2006 and the third meeting would be held in New Zealand on May 29 - 30, 2007.

        "In my capacity as foreign minister, I will attend the meeting," wirajuda said.

        He said the interfaith dialogues had also given birth to the Muslim Youth Leaders' Exchange Program and exchanges of academicians.

        Indonesia also hailed New Zealand's initiative to hold an Allianze for Civilization forum which was an international cooperation in promoting mutual understanding among civilizations which would be hosted by New Zealand on May 25-27, 2007.

        "Mr Ali Alatas (former Indonesian foreign minister) will attend the meeting," Wirajuda said.

        Apart from the interfaith dialogue, Indonesia and New Zealand would also improve cooperation in the defense and police fields.

        "The two nations also agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Concerning Cooperation on Migration and Border Control Management, which is expected to overcome illegal immigrant problems," the minister said.

        Indonesia hoped that New Zealand would consider issuing seasonal work permits and working holiday schemes for Indonesians.

        The joint commission also recommended the drafting of an MoU on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts in the framework of enforcing the laws in the two countries.

        The forum also discussed economic cooperation, particularly in the trade sector. The trade volume of the two nations which reached 1.3 billion New Zealand dollars continued to increase every year.

        New Zealand also planned to increase its development assistance to Indonesia to 13 million New Zealand dollars in the 2007-2008 period.

        Wellington restored military cooperation with Indonesia last year by inviting Indonesia to join a military training in the New Zealand Defense Force's Staff and Command Academy, a move welcomed by Jakarta. (A014/A/HAJM/b005) 2. 21:10/23:00 (T.A014/A/A014/B005) 08-05-2007 23:02:00