PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO LEAVES FOR EUROPE

Jakarta, Dec. 13 (ANTARA)- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono left for Europe here on Sunday morning, on an eight-day tour of four European countries.

The head of state and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono were seen off at Halim Perdanakusuma airport by Vice President Boediono, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, and Chief of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Djoko Santoso.

President Yudhoyono is scheduled to visit Belgium, France, Germany, and finally to Denmark for the UN Climate Change summit in Copenhagen.

He is expected to arrive in Brussels, Belgium on December 14, 2009, in Paris, France, on December 15, 2009, and in Berlin, Germany on December 16, 2009.

On December 17, the president will be in Copenhagen, Denmark, to participate in the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Over 100 world leaders are expected to join the COP 15 UNFCCC which will take place until December 19, 2009.

While in Belgium, France and Germany respectively, Yudhoyono will hold talks with his counterparts to discuss efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and to help make the Copenhagen Climate Summit a success.

The 145-member Presidential entourage to the European trip includes Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, State Minister of Environmental Affairs Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, and Agriculture Minister Suswono.

Also joining the presidential entourage are a number of provincial governors such as North Sulawesi Governor Sarun Dayang, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, Papua Governor Papua Barnabas Suebu, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Irwandi Jusuf, and Central Kalimantan Governor Teras Narang.

President Yudhoyono and his entourage are scheduled to return home on December 20, 2009.