RI SUCCESSFUL IN ABANDONING INSTABILITY IMAGE :PRESIDENT

Jakarta, Aug 14 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said, the international community considered Indonesia a country successful in carrying out transformation after it left the impression of backwardness, instability and conflicts.

"The world is now paying attention to Indonesia as a good example, both as the third largest democratic country in the world, and as a 'bridge' between Islam and the West," the President said in his state-of-the nation address in a plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Friday.

The President said, in the international constellation, the Indonesian economy also constitutes the largest power in the
Southeast Asian region, as well as a country that upholds freedom, pluralism and tolerance.

"At present, Indonesia can freely implement the all directions foreign policy, where the country can build friendly relations with any party serving our national interests either with the East, West, North and South," the president said.

"We can carry out our diplomacy freely by having a million friends and no enemies, as it is logical that having more friends will make Indonesia become a more secure and prosperous nation," he said.

All these issues of course are conducted on the basis of independence, sovereignty, equality, and mutual benefit.

"It is not surprising that many more countries in the world wish to establish friendship and cooperate with Indonesia, as we also want friendship with them," he said.

"Indonesia will always participate efforts to create a
safer and more peaceful world. That's why, Indonesia has actively
pioneered and encouraged the realization of an ASEAN Community," the president said.

In addition, Indonesia will also be consistent in implementing the ASEAN Charter, which will transform ASEAN and strengthen stability in Southeast Asia.

Apart from that, Indonesia is also active in building strategic partnership with various friendly countries, including Australia, South Africa, Brazil, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan and Russia.