ID :
15664
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 17:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/15664
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AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN MAKASSAR
Makassar, Aug 12 (ANTARA) - Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith arrived at Hasanuddin International Airport here on Tuesday for a one-day visit in South Sulawesi.
On arrival by Garuda Indonesia PK-GWN aircraft at 11:45 a.m. local time at Hasanuddin Airport, the Australian foreign minister was met by his Indonesian counterpart, Hassan Wirayuda, and South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo.
In a brief encounter with the press at the airport before heading to Pallaguna State Junior High School IV (SMPN IV) in Gowa district, some 28 km from Hasanuddin airport, Smith said his visit to Makassar was intended to strengthen the bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia.
Smith said the SMPN IV in Pallaguna, Gowa, was one of 2,000 junior high schools Australia was building or expanding in Indonesia as part of his country's development assistance to Indonesia in basic education.
Two-way education links between Australia and Indonesia are particularly strong, with 15,000 Indonesian students currently enrolled at Australian schools, universities and technical colleges.
Australia awards 300 scholarships to Indonesian students each year.
Smith said that in 2008-2009, Australian aid to Indonesia under the Australia-Indonesia Partnership would total over A$460 million. Major areas of assistance in addition to education included health, infrastructure and governance.
"I am happy to be in Makassar . It is a friendly and peaceful place," Smith said.
Meanwhile, Governor Syahrul said the visit to Makassar by the Australian foreign minister was a sign of respect because the country and South Sulawesi had classical relations.
Syahrul said some of Australia's aborigines were from South Sulawesi.
The Australian foreign minister is on a three-day visit to Indonesia from Monday to Wednesday to meet his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda, as well as other senior Indonesian ministers, officials and Parliamentarians, to discuss bilateral cooperation ranging from disaster response and security ties to enhanced people-to-people links.
On arrival by Garuda Indonesia PK-GWN aircraft at 11:45 a.m. local time at Hasanuddin Airport, the Australian foreign minister was met by his Indonesian counterpart, Hassan Wirayuda, and South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo.
In a brief encounter with the press at the airport before heading to Pallaguna State Junior High School IV (SMPN IV) in Gowa district, some 28 km from Hasanuddin airport, Smith said his visit to Makassar was intended to strengthen the bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia.
Smith said the SMPN IV in Pallaguna, Gowa, was one of 2,000 junior high schools Australia was building or expanding in Indonesia as part of his country's development assistance to Indonesia in basic education.
Two-way education links between Australia and Indonesia are particularly strong, with 15,000 Indonesian students currently enrolled at Australian schools, universities and technical colleges.
Australia awards 300 scholarships to Indonesian students each year.
Smith said that in 2008-2009, Australian aid to Indonesia under the Australia-Indonesia Partnership would total over A$460 million. Major areas of assistance in addition to education included health, infrastructure and governance.
"I am happy to be in Makassar . It is a friendly and peaceful place," Smith said.
Meanwhile, Governor Syahrul said the visit to Makassar by the Australian foreign minister was a sign of respect because the country and South Sulawesi had classical relations.
Syahrul said some of Australia's aborigines were from South Sulawesi.
The Australian foreign minister is on a three-day visit to Indonesia from Monday to Wednesday to meet his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda, as well as other senior Indonesian ministers, officials and Parliamentarians, to discuss bilateral cooperation ranging from disaster response and security ties to enhanced people-to-people links.
