Indonesia, Vietnam agree to strengthen defence cooperation

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his Vietnamese counterpart President Truong Tang Sang agreed to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

Indonesia's (Antara) news agency quoted , Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto as saying "The defense cooperation will particularly be strengthened by conducting a joint military exercise, joint sea patrol, and transfer of military technology" The two leaders also discussed about the ongoing talks on the maritime boundary of the two countries in which they expect a quick resolution to this problem, he added.

With regard to the South China Sea issue, Indonesia has expressed readiness to play the role of a mediator by firmly adhering to the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea territorial dispute.

The territorial dispute involves China and four member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines.