REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to pay a working visit in Fiji from June 17 to 19 at the invitation of the Fijian government.

The three-day visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, Teuku Faizasyah, the president's special aide for international relations, said in a press statement released on Sunday.

While in Fiji, President Yudhoyono will also attend the second summit of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) as a chief guest, Faizasyah said.

This will be a historical visit as Yudhoyono will be the first Indonesian president to visit the South Pacific, he said.

"Fiji is Indonesia's important partner in the South Pacific. The visit is very historical since it will be the first time ever Indonesian president to visit the South Pacific," he said.

During his stay, the Indonesian leader will also hold a tete-a-tete with President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and bilateral talks with Prime Minister Voreqe Josaia Bainimarama.

"At the meeting, both sides will discuss, among others, joint efforts to forge bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of maritime and cultural cooperation, good governance, democracy and regional and global issues of mutual concern," he said.

The two heads of state will also witness the signing of memorandums of understanding particularly in the areas of diplomatic training and youth and sports cooperation, he added.

As a chief guest, President Yudhoyono will deliver a keynote to the second summit of the PIDF, he said.

The presence of President Yudhoyono at the forum as a chief guest will open a chance for Indonesia to share its best experiences with islands states in the Pacific region on development programs whose success has been recognized by the international community, he said.

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