SBY Arrived in Kazakhstan

Astana (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and and party arrived at Astana International Airport, Kazakhstan, at 9.45 pm local time or 10.45 western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) on Sunday night.

The President was accompanied by First Lady Madame Ani Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Education and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

The president who is paying a state visit to Kazakhstan will hold a series of bilateral meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

Kazakhstan is the first leg of Yudhoyono's seven day tour of three countries which included Poland and Russia.

Earlier at Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Yudhoyono told a press conference that his current tour of three countries would focus on economic cooperation.

"Almost all activities in my working visits (to the three countries) will focus on the economic sector, although we will also discuss other agenda," President Yudhoyono said.

According to Yudhoyono, the main objective of his state visit to Kazakhstan is  to discuss trade and investment cooperation.

"We will discuss opportunities for Indonesia to do business in the energy field in that country," the head of state said adding that he also had the same hope for his visit to Poland.

In Russia, the president will attend the G20 Summit which will discuss current global economic conditions. (*/DWA)