JAKARTA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Defense ministries of Indonesia and Fiji on Friday reached an agreement on defense cooperation, bringing the bilateral ties to a higher strategic level, an Indonesian minister said here.

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and his counterpart from Fiji Ratu Inoke Kubuabola witnessed the signing of the agreement at the Indonesian defense ministry after their meeting.

"This shows the advancement of defense ties of the two nations heading to a more-strategic level," said Ryamizard after the signing.

The cooperation included exchanges of military intelligence, collaboration on weapon industry, shifting of defense technology and others, he said.

On the same occasion, Fiji's defense minister said his country considers Indonesia as a partner particularly in relation with the security in the Pacific region.

Indonesia has long faced insurgency of Free Papua Movement known as OPM in Papua province of easternmost of the country. The rebels have sought to have an independent state of Papua.

The rebels have targeted companies' workers, civilians, and soldiers in conducting their mission. Enditem

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