Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The first group of 24 teachers, students, as well as activists from senior high schools, colleges and NGOs in Moscow, Russia have arrived in Jakarta to join the activities of Indonesian Competency Enhancement.

"As many as 24 Russians have arrived in Jakarta this morning and another four people will arrive tomorrow (Monday)," according to Sudirham, Indonesian school principal in Moscow (SIM) on Sunday night when contacted from Jakarta.

Three SIMs staffers will accompany the Russians during their stay in Jakarta.

All the 24 Russians will begin to follow the Indonesian Competence Improvement Program at the Center for Development of Linguistic Strategy and Diplomacy (PPSDK) in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, from July 10-21, 2017 and will continue their activities in various cities.

In Kendari, South East Sulawesi, they will establish cooperation with a number of universities from July 21 to 25. Then they proceed to the city of Palu, Central Sulawesi, to conduct interactive activities with students and local teachers on July 25-27.

During their visit in Kendari and Palu, the participants will stay with the locals to introduce them to the local culture.

In a gathering at Wisma Duta of the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow on Monday (June 26), Indonesian Ambassador to Russia concurrently Belarus M. Wahid Supriyadi gave high appreciation for the interest of all the 24 Russian citizens to learn Indonesian. None of them have been to Indonesia.

Ambassador Wahid believes that cultural diplomacy activities like this can be developed because it will help make ties of the two countries closer.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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