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Japan, Indonesia agree to enhance bilateral ties

Xinhua, March 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday agreed here to boost bilateral defense and economic ties.

The agreement came after their summit during the Indonesian leader's four-day visit to the country.

The two sides signed an accord on defense cooperation that covers Japan's assistance for Indonesian forces, bilateral peacekeeping tasks and defense equipment development, local reports cited Japanese officials as saying.

They also agreed to launch a forum to improve bilateral maritime cooperation and achieved agreement to set up a ministerial dialogue to boost economic and industry cooperation.

The two leaders also affirmed to promote bilateral "two plus two" meeting that involves their defense and foreign ministers. The mechanism was launched in late 2013 but have yet to hold such talks.

Japan also offered 140 billion yen (about 1.17 billion U.S. dollars) in low-interest loans for construction of a mass rapid transit system in Jakarta.

The week-long trip started Sunday will also bring the Indonesian president to China. Endi