President Yudhoyono Visits Timor Leste

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono is scheduled to pay a three-day state visit to Timor Leste from Monday to Wednesday, a presidential aide said.

Presidential Special Staff for International Relations Teuku Faizasyah said in a press statement here on Monday that during his visit to Timor Leste, the President will meet with Timore Leste President Taur Matan Ruak and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.

"They will, among others, discuss economic cooperation, education, connectivity and people-to-people contacts. Besides, they will also hold talks on regional and global issues of mutual concerns," he said.

Faizasyah said that during the visit, the two sides will also sign memoranda of understanding on maritime and fisheries, education and culture, information technology and regional economy-based development.

"The Indonesian President is also slated to lay the corner stone for the construction of the Indonesian Cultural Center Building in Dili," he stated.

Faizasyah explained that Yudhoyono's visit to Timor Leste was one of the efforts to continue increasing cooperation between the two neighboring states.

"The Indonesian President will use his bilateral meetings with President Taur Matan Ruak and with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao to discuss various achievements the two countries have made in their bilateral cooperation," he added.

Yudhoyono will also discuss efforts to explore new cooperation opportunities, particularly cooperation that could be followed up by the Indonesian government under the President-elect and Vice president-elect," Faizasyah said. (WDY)