Indonesia would provide training and possibly sell equipment to Timor-Leste's Navy as part of broadening defense ties between the two countries, the Jakarta Globe quoted a top naval official as saying on Monday.

A verbal agreement for naval assistance comes as Timor-Leste prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of its independence referendum next week.

Speaking to the press here, Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno said that he had discussed a broad agreement with senior Timorese naval officials during the 2009 Indonesian Fleet Review in North Sulawesi province.

Tedjo said that during the discussion, he was told that the Timor-Leste's Navy was developing much more slowly than expected, even though it gained supports from other countries.

"That's why they are now planning to ask for assistance from Indonesia," said Tedjo.

He also said that he had informed the Indonesian Foreign Ministry about the request.

"I told the officials from Timor-Leste that this cooperation needs a legal umbrella by the defense ministries of both countries. They would establish a memorandum of understanding as a legal umbrella," he said.

"And maybe we would help them to buy patrol ships from Indonesian shipbuilders. Who knows, maybe through this cooperation we can help our national defense industry," Tedjo said.

Source: Xinhua