My English

Indonesia and South Korea agreed on Friday to enhance cooperation in the fields of education, research and technology, forestry and defense.
Memorandums of undertanding (MoU) to that effect were signed by relevant ministers of the two countries at the presidential palace here, witnessed by President SusiloBambang Yudhoyono and his visiting South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak.
The MoU on education cooperation was signed by Indonesian Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo and South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan, the MoU on research and technology by Indonesian Research and Technology Minister Kusmayanto Kadiman and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Youn-ho.
The MoU on forestry cooperation was signed by Indonesian Forestry Minister MS Kaban and his South Korean counterpart, Chung Kwang-soo, and a Letter of Intent (LoI) on defense cooperation by Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono and South Korea’s Commissioner of Defense Acquisition Program Administration Byun Moo-keun.
In a joint press conference with President Lee, President Yudhoyono expressed hope that relations between the two countries would increase following the signing of the four agreements. “Relations between the two nations have been growing well since they signed a strategic partnership agreement,” he said.
Two-way trade between Indonesia and South Korea in 2008 more than doubled to US$20 billion from a year earlier, he said. President Lee meanwhile underscored the need for the two countries to enhance cooperation despite the current global financial crisis. “Despite the obstacle, I am convinced that relations between the two countries will continue to increase,” he said.
At their meeting, the two leaders also discussed the two countries’ roles in G-20 summit scheduled for early in April. “We discussed the two countries’ role in G-20 particularly in dealing with the current economic crisis. Indonesia and South Korea also have agreed to develop ASEAN plus three in addition to the Chiang May Initiative,” he said. President Lee arrived here on Friday for a three-day visit.
On Saturday he will visit the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta and later in the day meet with House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Agung Laksono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla. ( ant )