Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao held a bilateral meeting at Merdeka Palace here Tuesday.

PM Xanana is on a visit in Indonesia from March 22 to 25. He arrived at the Merdeka Palace at 11 am Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB), and the bilateral meeting began at 11.15 am.

Presidential special staff in charge of international relations Teuku Faizasyah told ANTARA that following the bilateral meeting, the two leaders would witness the signing of five memoranda of understanding (MoUs).

Yudhoyono on the occasion was accompanied by Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam and National Defense Forces (TNI) Cheif Admiral Agus Suhartono.

Members of Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao`s delegation include Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa, Economic and Development Minister Joao Goncalves, Infrastructure Minister Pedro Lay da Silva, Tourism, Trade and Industry Minister Gil Alves, Agriculture and Fishery Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino, Commander of The Timor Leste Armed Forces Major General Taur Matan Ruak and Timor Leste Ambassador to Indonesia Manuel Serrano.

On March 23, Xanana will attend an international convention on defense in Jakarta. Jakarta International Defense Dialogue (JIDD) is a International Conference which will be participated in by defense delegations from over 30 countries including heads of state, defense ministers and also chiefs of staff.

JIDD organized by the Ministry of Defense and the Indonesian Defense University (IDU) will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center from March 23 to 25, 2011.

Timor Leste, formerly known as East Timor, declared its independence on May 20, 2002, following a United Nations sponsored referendum in 1999, which the people of Timor Leste voted in favor of independence and separated from Indonesia. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011