Australia, Indonesia to discuss shared interests
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/09/2012 12:58 PM
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd departed on Sunday for Indonesia and the US.
Rudd is scheduled to meet his counterpart, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, and other senior figures in Jakarta to discuss shared political, security, commercial, environmental and cultural interests.
"I look forward to discussing the East Asia Summit and ASEAN agendas for the year ahead, with a particular focus on [issues] such as coordinated regional responses to natural disasters," Rudd said on Sunday.
He will also discuss the Indonesia – Australia economic comprehensive partnership and the future of live cattle exports to Indonesia.
“During the 2010 – 2011 period, the total trading value between Australia and Indonesia reached A$13.8 billion (US$14.08 billion), up by 14 percent from the previous year. However, both countries still have significant trade potential,” Rudd said.
Rudd will also discuss joint efforts to combat terrorism and people smuggling.
He will then continue his trip to New York to attend the final meeting of the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability.
The panel's recommendations will represent a key input into the "Rio+20" UN Conference on Sustainable Development in June. (swd)
