REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- A hundred elementary school children gathered at the Merdeka Palace on Friday to welcome President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine who is here on a state visit.

Around 230 students from Kenari 7, Jatinegara Kaum 1 and Jatinegara Kaum 3 elementary schools waited from 11am for the state guest to arrive, accompanied by their coordinators.

"According to the directives, we will waive the national red-white flag and the blue-yellow flag of Ukraine when the presidential car passes the palace's yard," principal of Kenari 7 school, Imanita Tresno Wulan, said.

The students wore traditional costumes from various regions in the country.

Although they had gathered since 9am, they still looked cheerful and were at the VVIP area until around 3.30pm.

Imanita said the students carried out a rehearsal at 11am and then at 1pm.

President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana took the opportunity to shake hands with the children and chat with them while waiting for their guest to arrive.

President Poeoshenko is scheduled to be in Indonesia from August 5 to 7 for a bilateral meeting to discuss various cooperation plans with Indonesia, including in the fields of education and agriculture and a visa-free facility program.

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