Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has congratulated Barack Obama on his re-election as US president, expressing hope that the strategic partnership and cooperation between the two countries would increase further and benefit both nations.
"I convey my congratulations and am waiting for (a chance to have a telephone) communication with him so I can congratulate him directly. President Obama must certainly be very busy right now. Indonesia hopes for continued strategic cooperation based on mutual respect and on an equal footing," he said.
"President Obama knows much about the ways things are in Indonesia and his knowledge could strengthen our bilateral cooperation," President Yudhoyono explained.
"Indonesia also looks forward to having continued cooperation with the United States at various international forums, such as the G-20 Summit, APEC Summit, and climate change summits, as well as in formulating the Post-2015 MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)," he added.
Obama spent many years of his childhood in Indonesia, from 1967 through 1971, with his mother and Indonesian stepfather.
The US president last visited Indonesia on November 9-10, 2010. During his stay in Jakarta, Obama and Yudhoyono announced a comprehensive partnership in creating long-term relations between the two nations. (*/DWA/T007)
