President Leaves For Japan

Jakarta, Dec 12 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono left Jakarta on Thursday morning for Japan to attend a commemoration to mark the 40th anniversary of the cooperation between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). "During a summit meeting that will take place in Tokyo on Saturday, we want to strengthen and expand our cooperation in various fields," President Yudhoyono said at the Halim Perdanakusuma military airbase before departing for Japan. The President added that one of the agenda for the meeting would be to step up efforts aimed at the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Meanwhile, the Presidential Special Staff for International Relations Teuku Faizasyah stated that the commemoration would impart momentum to both sides and help forge a shared vision for long-term cooperation. "As the two countries have established a strategic partnership, Indonesia and Japan will certainly gain a lot of benefits by the strengthening of the Japan-ASEAN friendship," Faizasyah noted. He added that besides attending the meeting, the President will also meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Akihito. "The meeting between President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo this time will be the fourth of its kind and will reflect not only propinquity, but also commitment towards further advancing bilateral cooperation in various fields," he said. According to Faizasyah, the two leaders will discuss various issues related to the improvement of trade, investment, infrastructure and manpower cooperation and other strategic issues in the region. He revealed that the Indonesian head of state was also slated to deliver a general lecture on "Regional Security Architecture" at Kensei Kinen Kaikan, which was initiated by the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), the Japan-Indonesia Parliamentary League, the Japanese Foreign Ministry and Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. President Yudhoyono will also hold a meeting with Japanese business players grouped under the Japan-Indonesia Association (JAPINDA), Faizasyah said. During his visit to Japan, President Yudhoyono will be accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, presidential special staff for economy and development Firmanzah, Presidential Spokesman Julian A. Pasha and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam.