REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono awarded "Adipurna" Star to Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in appreciation of his role in strengthening the relations between the two countries.

"This is the highest award the Indonesian government bestows on a foreigner," President Yudhoyono said before conferring the star on President Aquino on the sidelines of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum here on Friday.

President Yudhoyono said President Aquino deserved the award for his services in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

"His efforts to promote the bilateral cooperation has opened a lot of opportunities," Yudhoyono noted referring to the economic cooperation between the two countries that has increased by 10.9 percent over the past five years. He said he believed the hike would continue in the future.

President Aquino lauded the award as the recognition of the increasing cooperation between the two countries. He pointed out some Tagalog words that are similar to those in Bahasa Indonesia, such as "cinta" (love) and "balik" (return), to refer to the close relations between the two nations.

Aquino said the award was an honor and recognition of the limitless partnership between the two countries and was in the interests of both nations. He praised President Yudhoyono's decade-long leadership and said Yudhoyono was not only a friend but also a brother for many countries.

After working hard for ten years, President Yudhoyono deserved a rest, Aquino said, clearly referring to Yudhoyono's term that will come to an when President-elect Joko Widodo will be sworn in on October 20.

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