MFA Press Statement: Visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean to Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, for the Indian Ocean Rim Association Commemorative Leaders' Summit, 6 to 8 March 2017

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo welcomed DPM Teo Chee Hean at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leaders’ Welcome Dinner on 6 March 2017.  [Photo credit: MCI]

DPM Teo Chee Hean was hosted to lunch by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan on 6 March 2017.  [Photo credit: MCI]

DPM Teo Chee Hean met Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto on 6 March 2017.  [Photo credit: MCI]

                    Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean met Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto on 6 March 2017.  DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Wiranto reaffirmed our excellent defence ties, and welcomed closer cooperation in defence and counter-terrorism.  They exchanged views on regional security issues, including the terrorist threat posed by the Islamic State (IS), and the importance  of enhancing regional cooperation in cyber-security.

                   DPM Teo was hosted to lunch by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan.  DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut reaffirmed the close ties between Singapore and Indonesia, and welcomed the commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.  They acknowledged the good progress being made in several areas of cooperation discussed between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo at the Leaders’ Retreat in Semarang in November 2016, such as in energy, tourism and connectivity.  They agreed that it was important to continue exploring new ways to broaden and deepen economic cooperation to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

                   DPM Teo met Indonesian Minister for Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu, whom he had recently met in Singapore on 3 March 2017.  DPM Teo and Minister Ryamizard reaffirmed our close defence and military ties.  They also expressed the desire to continue strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism.  DPM Teo also met Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) and GOLKAR Chairman Setya Novanto, and members of the DPR.  They exchanged views on regional and international developments, and welcomed closer parliamentary interactions between both countries.

               Senior Minister of State (SMS), Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman attended the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers’ Meeting (COMM) on 6 March 2017.  At the COMM, SMS Maliki called on Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, where he congratulated Indonesia on hosting a successful Ministerial Meeting and also reaffirmed the warm bilateral ties between Singapore and Indonesia. 

               DPM Teo and SMS Maliki also attended the IORA Leaders’ Welcome Dinner hosted by President Joko Widodo on 6 March 2017.  DPM Teo continues his visit to Jakarta tomorrow and Wednesday.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

6 MARCH 2017