President to Visit Three ASEAN Countries

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to visit three ASEAN countries, respectively Singapore, Myanmar, and Brunei Darussalam early next week.

Presidential special staff for international relations Teuku Faizasyah in a press statement, made available here on Saturday, said the president would start his tour from Singapore on April 22-23, 2013.

"While in his working visit to Singapore, President Yudhoyono would attend annual Leaders' Retreat," Faizasyah said, adding that during the Leaders' Retreat, the president would have a bilateral meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsieng Loong.

According to him, the two leaders would discuss various issues related to relation and cooperation between the two countries.

"In addition, cooperation in the fields of investment, air transportation, tourism, manpower, agribusiness, counter terrorism will also be discussed," Faizasyah said.

He added that in Singapore, President Yudhoyono will be awarded with Doctoral Degree of Letters from  Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

After that, the head of state will depart to Myanmar on March 23 for a state visit until March 24 for a bilateral meeting with his Myanmar's counterpart U Thein Sein to discuss the development of two countries cooperation in various fields.

"Then from Myanmar, President Yudhoyono will leave for Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on April 24 to attend the 22nd ASEAN Summit, the 9th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Filipina East ASEAN Growth Area Summit, and the 7th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Summit,"  Faizasyah said. (*/DWA)