SUARA NEGERI ■ Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto suddenly contacted the Japanese Defense Minister, Nobuo Kishi via teleconference, on Monday, November 2, 2020.
"Minister Prabowo congratulated Minister Kishi on his appointment as Minister of Defense. Minister Kishi expressed his appreciation," wrote the official statement of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, quoted on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Not only congratulating each other, the two of them also exchanged views on regional security issues.
The ones discussed were the East China Sea and South China Sea in relation to current events taking place in the region.
Prabowo and Kishi both reaffirmed the importance of a maritime free and open order based on the rule of law.
"Minister Kishi conveyed that Japan is against any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by coercion or any activity that raises tensions," he wrote.
They also exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, including accelerating discussions on defense equipment and technology cooperation.
The two ministers agreed to promote defense cooperation in the context of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including sharing expertise and learning during disaster management operations, related to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"In this context, the two ministers also participated, agreeing to maintain close communication between the respective defense authorities, including '2 + 2' meetings at the earliest possible time, and proactively promote defense cooperation and exchanges to enforce and strengthen A Free and Open Indo-Pacific, "he said. (R/08)
