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SBY, Fukuda expect stronger RI-Japan relations
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda expect Indonesia-Japan relations to grow closer
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President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda expect Indonesia-Japan relations to grow closer.
Both leaders conveyed their hopes during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday morning, presidential spokesperson Julian Aldrin Pasha said.
'On Indonesia-Japan relations, it was conveyed by President Yudhoyono to Mr. Fukuda during the meeting that they could hopefully maintain relationships between the two countries. It is not only about cooperation in the field of economy but also in politics and security,' he said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Monday.
Yudhoyono accepted Fukuda, who is now the president of the Japan-Indonesia Association, at 9 a.m.
Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yoshinori Katori and Japan-Indonesia Association deputy presidents Naoki Kuroda and Yutaka Iimura accompanied Fukuda in the meeting.
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies president Takashi Shiraisi, CEO Teijin Oyagi and Mitsubishi Corporation in Indonesia regional coordinator and advisor Masataka Komiya were also present.
Meanwhile, Yudhoyono was accompanied by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, as well as Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chief Mahendra Siregar.
Julian said Fukuda stated that during Yudhoyono's administration, Indonesia had played a significant role in bringing peace to ASEAN and East Asia as well as the world.
'It is something both countries need to maintain and increase,' he said.
Julian further said that Yudhoyono believed the next administration could maintain Indonesia and Japan's good relations.
'During a recent meeting with Pak Joko Widodo, President Yudhoyono conveyed [to the president-elect] that Indonesia's good relations with Japan are important and this should be continuously increased,' said Julian.
'Similarly, Pak Jokowi also stated that he shared similar views with Mr. President on the importance of good relations between Indonesia and Japan,' he went on. (alz/ebf)
