BALI, Indonesia, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Indonesia agreed Thursday to boost bilateral cooperation in the fields of electricity, steel, energy, information-technology and defense industry, during summit talks of their leaders here on the sidelines of a regional democracy forum, South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.
In their talks, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had "in-depth discussions" on promoting trade and investment and strengthening cooperation on energy and natural resources as well as bolstering partnership on the global stage, it said.
The presidents pointed out that the two nations have markedly deepened their ties in various sectors -- particularly forest biomass and other green growth industries -- since Lee's state visit to Indonesia in March last year, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Two-way trade volume between the two countries is projected to record over US$20 billion this year, up from $15 billion in 2009, it said.
Lee and Yudhoyono agreed to "make joint efforts to bolster cooperation between the governments and corporations of the two nations in information-technology, electricity, steel, defense industry, energy and infrastructure," Cheong Wa Dae said.
It did not immediately confirm whether the leaders discussed Seoul's push to export its T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jets, submarines and armored vehicles to Jakarta.
Before the summit, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said Lee and Yudhoyono were expected to discuss the issue although a concrete deal was unlikely.
The leaders also expressed hope that Seoul and Jakarta will step up cooperation on regional and global issues with Indonesia set to serve as the chair country of ASEAN meetings next year.
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The Indonesian leader congratulated Lee on the successful hosting of the G-20 summit held in Seoul from Nov. 11-12, and Lee thanked Indonesia for its support for the global economic summit, Cheong Wa Dae said.
Lee's visit to Bali was to reciprocate the Indonesian president's attendance at a South Korea-ASEAN special summit on the South Korean resort island of Jeju in June last year, just ahead of presidential elections in Indonesia, and participation in the Seoul G-20 summit despite his busy schedule in dealing with the aftermath of a volcanic eruption and other natural disasters.
Indonesia is South Korea's 10th-largest trading partner. The South Korean president announced the so-called "New Asia Initiative," aimed at improving Seoul's relations with Asian neighbors during his trip to Jakarta last year.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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