Bogor, W Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Singapore have strong cooperative relations, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said during his introduction at a consultative meeting on cooperation between the two countries at Bogor Palace here on Tuesday.

During his remarks, the Indonesian head of state noted that the already good economic cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore could continue to be increased.

"I hope the strong cooperative relations between the two countries will continue to be stepped up in other fields," President Yudhoyono noted.

The president said he and his Singaporean guest discussed various issues related to economics, trade, and investments.

He noted that Bogor Palace has witnessed many important events in past years, including the development of ASIA Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Before the consultative meeting, President Yudhoyono and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong held a joint meeting to discuss bilateral cooperation and the latest developments related to the regional and global situation.

At the meeting, the Singaporean prime minister was accompanied by, among others, Trade Minister Lim Hng Kiang, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, Mining Minister Chan Chun Sing, and State Minister for Information, Transportation and Arts Grace Fu.

President Yudhoyono was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono, National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo and other state officials.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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