Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia and the European Union (EU) held their 6th Security Policy Dialogue virtually on November 10 to intensify bilateral cooperation on security issues.

The two sides discussed a wide range of issues encompassing the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, anti-narcotics, peacekeeping and crisis management, maritime security, cyber security, non-proliferation and disaster management.

They took stock of good progress with the implementation of their partnership in over the past years. In the fields of counter-terrorism and of cybersecurity, the two sides conducted online workshops to share information and best practices that cover issues such as the protection and treatment of children associated with terrorist groups, the increased use of financial technology and its links with terrorist financing, countering violent extremist narratives, and trust-building measures in cyberspace. They also reiterated their commitment of cooperation in multilateral platforms within these areas.

The dialogue also shared challenges faced by the EU and Indonesia in countering narcotics and discussed ways to strengthen their policy response through comprehensive counter narcotics policies, including rehabilitation. In the area of peacekeeping and crisis management, the two sides stressed the importance of promoting the role of women in peace operations while in the field of maritime security, both parties highlighted the importance of cooperation on Maritime Situational Awareness.

Both the EU and Indonesia attach great importance to a successful 10th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The EU and Indonesia also vowed to continue their close collaboration on consular matters including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Joanneke Balfoort, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service, and Masni Eriza, Director for American and European Intra and Inter-regional Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia./.
VNA