The president made the remark when officially opening the 26th SEA Games at the Sriwijaya stadium in the Jakabaring sports complex in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Friday.
The president on the occasion also said the great obsession of the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was to realize the togetherness and partnership among the Asean nations.
"Asean is growing to become a dynamic and fully developed region. Thus, let us further step up the cooperation and partnership in our efforts to create a peaceful, just, developed and prosperous Asian region," Yudhoyono said.
The president, clad a Palembang traditional dress. also said the 26th SEA Games taking place in Jakarta and Palembang from November 11 through 22, 2011, had started a series of Asean activities at the end of 2011.
In addition, the Asean summit meeting which would be attended by the heads of state or government of the ten Asean member states will take wplace in Bali on November 17 through 19 in Bali.
The SEA Games is participated in by thousands of athletes from 11 countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Vietnam and Indonesia as the host.
Indonesia has several times hosted the Sea Games, namely the 10th Sea Games in 1979, the 15th Sea Games in 1987 and the 19th Sea Games in 1997.
"Asean`s common goal now is to strengthen regional togetherness through meetings with a great theme, namely `one vision, one identity and one community,`" said the president who is the Asean chair for 2011.
Yudhoyono also expressed optimism that South East Asia will become a region and an important pillar for development at Asian and world levels.
The president on behalf of the Indonesian government and nation also extended a warm welcome and congratulations to the SEA Games participants.
"Through the SEA Games, I hope, we can reach high achievements that can be a source of new pride for South East Asia and the world," he said.
The SEA Games glorious opening ceremony took place under a drizzle on Friday night.
Three South East Asian top singers, namely Agnes Monica from Indonesia, KC Konception from the Philippines and Jaklyn Victor from Malaysia also lustered up the 26th South East Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
