REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) expresses his hope that Indonesia and North Korea can mutually contribute to sustaining peace and economic growth in the Asian region. In a bilateral meeting with North Korean President Kim Yong Nam held at Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday, SBY hoped to further strengthen the sound bilateral relations between the two nations.
"We are very pleased and honoured to receive you again in Indonesia. We have a long history of good relations. Your Excellency`s visit at this time becomes a new historical milestone to intensify the cooperation and partnership between both nations in the future," declared the head of state.
Yudhoyono also invited the North Korean president`s inputs on how to sustain peace and progress in the world, including in the Asian and Pacific regions.
North Korea is technically still in war with its neighbor, South Korea. Recently, its neighbors are quite nervous by North Korea's behaviour which regarded as "provocative" and potentially trigger regional conflict.
President Kim is on visit to Indonesia from May 13 to 16 at the invitation of SBY. It is the third visit of Kim, in his capacity as the North Korean president, to Indonesia. Kim, who is accompanied by three ministerial-level delegates, is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Yudhoyono and attend a state banquet.
Others present in the welcoming ceremony are Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, Chief of the Defence Forces Admiral Agus Suhartono, and National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo. During his visit, Kim is also expected to hold meetings with the chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), and Vice President Boediono.
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