Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Yudhoyono said he hoped the current visit of British Prime Minister David Cameron would further strengthen relations between the two countries.

"As you (the prime minister) know, relations between Indonesia and Britain have been running well and keep improving. I hoped with your visit we could further increase these relations in the future," he said when receiving Cameron at the Merdeka Palace here on Wednesday.

Yudhoyono noted that due to the visit, it was hoped new opportunities would be opened to boost the two countries' relations, both in the economic and non-economic fields.

Cameron, meanwhile, said in his speech that relations between Indonesia and Britain have been strong and a number of opportunities were still available to see the relations increase diplomatically, politically as well as economically.

Also, Cameron said he was amazed by Indonesia's economic performance and transformation in the past few years.

"We are also impressed by the power and development of democracy in Indonesia, which could become an example for other countries in the region," he said.

Besides holding private talks, the two leaders also conducted a bilateral meeting.

This was the first visit by Cameron since his election, which will continue until Thursday. He was accompanied by trade minister Lord Green, minister of universities and sciences David Willetts and a number of businessmen.

(M041/P008/INE)