REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia is renewing cooperation with Timor Leste in a number of areas, and will also explore the possibility of cooperation in energy and economy sector.

Indonesian President's communications team member Ary Dwipayana, in a press statement received by Antara here on Tuesday, explained President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and East Timor Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo in Dili, Timor Leste discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

President Jokowi stated that Indonesia is ready to be Timor Leste's partner in infrastructure development.

"I believe that Timor Leste also has the same commitment towards Indonesia," the President said.

President Jokowi welcomed the January 16 meeting between the two countries' ministers of Energy and Mineral Resources in Bali. It will encourage better ways to achieve the objectives of the cooperation agreements.

These agreements include an agreement on downstream business between Pertamina and Timor GAP EP, upstream oil and gas and renewable energy business, network interconnection, electricity supply, and others.

The President also welcomed cooperation in the area of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) between Timor GAP EP and LNG Badak.

"Indonesia is ready to help Timor Leste to build an LNG plant," the President said.

President Jokowi reiterated Indonesia's commitment to become a major partner in the supply of medicines and health equipment for Timor Leste.

"I will encourage the development of distribution centers in Atambua to provide special services for Timor Leste's people," he said.

Regarding people-to-people contact, President Jokowi noted the strengthening of air connectivity between the two countries.

Indonesia is also ready to assist human resource development when it comes to pilots and cabin crew and will also help develop East Timor's national flight carrier.

The President also stressed the role of the Indonesian state-owned enterprises in the development of Timor Leste.

Throughout 2011-2015, Timor Leste's infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, airports and government buildings, were constructed by the Indonesian state-owned enterprises and private sector firms with a total value of US$344 million.

"This year, the total projects to be undertaken will reach Rp 7 trillion," the president said.

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