WIRAYUDA-CLINTON TALKS TO BE LIMITED TO BILATERAL ISSUES

Jakarta, Feb 17 (ANTARA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda said his talks with his US counterpart, Hillary Clinton, during the latter's upcoming visit here would be limited to efforts to improve the two countries' bilateral relations.
"It is actually quite obvious that during Clinton's visit to Indonesia, we will be discussing efforts to improve bilateral relations," Wirayuda said here on Tuesday.
He added the US side would talk on efforts to step up relations between the two countries in the framework of a strategic partnership.
"We are going to discuss our common views and other issues on regional development in ASEAN and East Asia, as well as the role of the countries in the region in finding a solution to the global financial crisis and other international issues related to the Middle East conflict, and Iran," Wirayuda said.
The US secretary of state is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia for a two-day visit February 18-19 to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda.
Indonesia would be the second country Clinton is visiting on her East Asian tour after Japan. From Indonesia she would go to South Korea and China.
"We appreciate the priority given by US President Barack Obama to East Asia in the selection of countries Clinton was to visit on here maiden overseas tour as US secretary of state and the priority given to us in Obama's telephone contacts with foreign governments," Wirayuda said.