Joint doorstop with Indonesian Minister for Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti

Minister Pudjiastuti's opening remarks have been translated from Indonesian.

MINISTER PUDJIASTUTI: Ok, media colleagues, thank you. So today the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs has come to Jakarta and has taken the time to stop by here.

I met with Ms Julie Bishop a couple of weeks ago when I attended the Ocean Conference "Our Ocean" in Washington DC and received an award from the WWF, as I was one of the initiators of the living planet idea, and Ms Julie Bishop really appreciates cooperation between Indonesia and Australia and we would like to further enhance our cooperation.

I offered Australia investment cooperation in the field of fisheries and fisheries ports in Sabang, Natuna, Morotai, West Java and East Lombok, and in Papua where there are also fisheries ports.

That's all, and I think we are working also to combat illegal fishing. Australia really helps Indonesia in returning slaves and also some slaves located in China, and also helps us to monitor it, data satellite sharing and we look forward to enhancing our cooperation in joint coast guard and patrol, monitoring and other things. Thank you.

MINISTER BISHOP: Minister Susi thank you for your warm welcome and it's a delight to catch up with you again after our meeting in Washington at the Our Ocean Conference. At that time you were being recognised for your work in the area of fisheries management and quite rightly recognised by the Conference for your great work on an international basis.

Australia at that time announced the winners of a challenge that we had for better means and more efficient ways of using aquaculture to underpin the Blue Economy. I recall we had a very positive discussion about the blue economy, aquaculture, blue carbon initiatives and means of using our respective oceans as part of our economic growth.

You have been a champion to combat illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing and we have spoken about the opportunities we have to continue to work closely in various forums as well as bilaterally.

Later this month Australia and Indonesia will be co-chairing a science symposium in Sydney and we hope that that will be an opportunity for us to focus on research opportunities in the area of maritime security, the blue economy, and other areas where our national interests align.

I also am very keen to continue to work with you on the coral reef initiatives. You will recall in Washington I spoke about the investment that Australia has made in maintaining, preserving, conserving the Great Barrier Reef. As members of the International Coral Reef Initiative, I look forward to us continuing to cooperate in that regard, to maintain our beautiful coral reefs. So this has been a very productive discussion, as always, a delight to meet with you.

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