Jakarta (Jakarta Forum) - The Indonesian navy (TNI-AL) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, exercises and sea border security.

"As has been known a lot of illegal activities still continue to happen on the two countries` border such as illegal fishing, smuggling and territorial violations," TNI-AL spokesman Commodore Tri Prasodjo said after attending a meeting between the Australian Fleet commander Vice Admiral Steve Gilmore and TNI-AL`s deputy chief of staff Vice Admiral Marsetio here on Monday.

He said the high rate of illegal activities in the Indonesian eastern region and on the border between Indonesia and Australia had made the two countries to develop constructive cooperation in various fields such as joint patrols, exchange of officers and joint exercises.

"Although political relations between the two countries ebb and flow the military relations so far especially between the two navies have gone well and continued to increase," he said.

To maintain and increase the capability and professionalism of navy soldiers the two countries` navies have conducted a joint exercise code-named "Cassowary Exercise" routinely so far.

"We continue conducting and increasing joint exercises including with the Australian navy based upon mutual respect and trust," he said.
(T.R018/H-YH/HAJM/A014)