Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - The governments of Indonesia and Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on social welfare and community development, Indonesian Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri said here on Tuesday.

The MoU was signed by Salim Segaf and Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman "who represented the country`s minister for Women, Family and Community Development" in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Salim Segaf noted that the MoU was one of the outcomes of the 9th annual consultation meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"The MoU covers cooperation in the exchange of information, exchange of experts, reciprocal visits, joint training, workshops and seminars, and the protection of intellectual property rights," he continued.

Salim Segaf pointed out that a number of programs under the MoU had already been developed and were ready for implementation.

"We don`t want the MoU to simply remain on paper," he said, adding that the implementation of the agreement would be evaluated at the next annual meeting between the two countries.

Salim Segaf stated that the agreement was the first of its kind between Indonesia and Malaysia, although it had been planned long in advance.
(O001/R-BSR/B003)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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