In his prelude to the meeting, President Yudhoyono expressed his gratitude to the Australian delegation led by Premier Gillard to the 6th East Asia Summit for their contribution to the meeting.
"I think Her Excellency Prime Minister Julia Gillard will agree if this meeting is very important to unite the steps taken by nations in this region, Greater Asia to resolve problems in the region," he said.
According to the President, the just-ended meeting of ASEAN leaders with their dialog partners in East Asia was designed to discuss a number of issues including sensitive problems.
"If we did not discuss them it would not be good. Our peoples knew that their leaders were gathering here and if we did not discuss our common problems there won`t be solution," he said.
The President said bilateral ties between Indonesia and Australia had been growing well without any worrying and disrupting problems.
"Of course, there are bilateral issues we have to discuss well while at the same time seeking new opportunities," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gillard congratulated President Yudhoyono on the United States and Russia joining the 6th East Asia Summit.
The President was during the meeting accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Finance Minister Agus Martowardoyo, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Education and Culture Minister M Nuh, National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo, and National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono.
President Yudhoyono is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen following the meeting with the Australian prime minister.
The President and entourage are expected to return to Jakarta at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
(SYS/S012)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
