Jakarta, Manila united by pirates and trade

Philippines President Arroyo is in Jakarta for a two-day official visit

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed to boost naval patrols in the pirate-infested waters that divide them.

As part of a broader agreement to work together more closely, energy and trade cooperation would also be enhanced.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo spoke of the developments soon after meeting her Indonesian counterpart Megawati Sukarnoputri during her official visit to Jakarta on Monday.

Arroyo said they had agreed to "promote stable long-term supply" of coal to the Philippines from Indonesian Kalimantan and Sumatra and had also discussed gas supplies and geothermal power.

Indonesian Mines and Energy Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Jakarta expects to increase coal exports to the Philippines from the current 2.76 million tones a year.

COUNTRY PROFILE At a glance: Indonesia Provided by CountryWatch.com    CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

"The Philippines is big consumer of coal. Indonesia expects to increase its coal exports to Philippines in future," he told reporters, but failed to mention the amount of the potential increase.

Megawati also confirmed both countries would soon establish joint naval patrols for the waters separating the southern Philippines and north-central Indonesia, as it being used as a popular route of smugglers are and pirates.

Arroyo meanwhile is also due to meet senior Indonesian legislators on Tuesday before flying home.

Indonesia and the Philippines are close members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Other members include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.