President SBY Asserts His Moral Obligation To Assist Next Govt

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has asserted his moral obligation to assist President-elect Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who will lead the new government for  the 2014-2019 period.

"I am morally obligated to assist President-elect Joko Widodo (Jokowi). SBY-Jokowi meeting is confirmed to communicate and to cooperate further," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Wednesday.

He remarked that the consultation process as a tradition that should be done in an era of democracy in Indonesia for the good of the nation.

According to the President, in the meeting, he invited Jokowi to express his views and thoughts as well as the agenda of government and state.

The President pointed out that he expressed his views and concerns as well as important things comprehensively and completely to Jokowi.

"The transition is important and good for the new government," he affirmed.

He pointed out that the two-hour meeting was not the last meeting but it will be followed by several other meetings.

Earlier, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived at Ngurah Rai International Airport at 3.15 pm on Wednesday for a three-day working visit to Bali.

During the visit, the head of state will open the 6th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

An initiative of the UN secretary general and supported by 114 states and 25 international organizations, UNAOC works to develop innovative models for ameliorating identity-based tensions across the world.

Following the success of five consecutive forums in Spain, Turkey, Brazil, Qatar, and Austria, the 6th UNAOC Global Forum from August 20 to 30, 2014, will bring together political leaders, representatives of international and regional bodies, private sectors, civil societies, youth, arts, and media, as well as donor agencies and foundations to foster cross-culture dialog and understanding.

Themed "Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Diversity for Common and Shared Values," the forum will highlight strategic and practical measures that generate and sustain common values and a shared sense of responsibility across every stakeholder, partner, and constituency toward the realization of the mandate and objectives of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative. (WDY)