Monday, December 04, 2006

Bilateral Relations: Russian and Indonesia sign arms deals and cooperation agreements

The Moscow Times, reports that President Vladimir Putin and his Indonesian counterpart, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, have agreed to boost military and energy cooperation in deals worth more than $1 billion.

Under a series of accords, Moscow plans to sell Jakarta at least $1 billion in arms and help the country develop its space program. Russia also offered to build Indonesia a floating nuclear power station.

Speaking at a joint news briefing with Putin, at the end of a three-day visit to Russia, Yudhoyono said, "The talks strengthened my conviction that Russia is our reliable ally and partner."

Does that mean Bam Bang doesn't want any more "write your own cheques" from the Australian taxpayer?