PRESIDENT REITERATES COMMITMENT TO ASEAN

Jakarta, Oct. 20 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reiterated his commitment to developing ASEAN as a peaceful, prosperous, and dynamic region in his second term in office, 2009-2014.

"At the regional level, Indonesia, together with ASEAN member countries, will continue to strive for the establishment of an ASEAN Community, and for the creation of a peaceful, prosperous and dynamic Southeast Asian region," President Yudhoyono said in his inaugural speech at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) building here on Tuesday.

Indonesia is one of the founders of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) which groups Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Yudhoyono in his speech also said Indonesia would remain in the forefront of efforts to create a better world order.

"Indonesia will remain in the forefront of efforts to bring about a better world order. We will continue to strive for the Earth's rescue from the threat of climate change, the reform of the world economy, especially through the G-20, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as promoting multilateralism through the United Nations, for the sake of inter-civilization harmony," the president said.

He also emphasized that Indonesia would continue to pursue active and independent policies and strive to maintain world justice and peace.

Indonesia would not only implement productive, moderate and friendly nationalist principles but also dynamic internationalism.

"Indonesia is now facing a new environment where it has no enemy and no other country sees it as an enemy," he said.

Born in Pacitan (East Java), on September 9, 1949, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was elected as president for a second term (2009-2014), together with Boediono as vice president.

In his first presidential term (2004-2009), he was assisted by M Jusuf Kalla as vice president.