REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, QUITO - Indonesian government represented by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Ecuador's President Rafael Correa Delgado eye on some cooperation on energy, agriculture, forestry, telecommunication, and extermination of transnational crime.

"The relationship between Indonesia and Ecuador is developing, but we still have a room to increase it," SBY said on Saturday at local time.

SBY said that both of them would like to implement the cooperation soon. SBY also praised the Ecuador's warm welcome. Meanwhile, President Correa hopes to increase the cooperation mainly on oil, defense, and marine.

"Marine area in Ecuador is five times bigger than its land. We have a big potency to develop it," he said while hoping that Indonesia could share its experience as a country with 17,000 islands.

Honorary resident

During the visit, SBY was also granted an honorary resident of Quito with “La Senor” title. A certificate of citizenship was presented by Quito Mayor, Augusto Barrera, on Saturday.

"I am proud to receive this honorary tittle, a tittle that I have never thought before. And this is a sweet surprise for me and the people of Indonesia," Yudhoyono said in his speech. 

The President wished this award could strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Ecuador. "Hopefully, this will strengthen the friendship the two nations and our country is more in harmony and mutual respect in the future."

Beside, receive "key" of city, President also got a silver bird pin, the symbol of the City of Quito. After the ceremony, the President later witnessed the two traditional dances of Ecuador.

Quito is located geographically in the valley of Mount Pichincha, an active volcano in the Andes. The city is located at an altitude of 2850 meters above sea level, which puts a capital Quito the second highest in the world after La Paz, Bolivia.

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