"I continue to maintain communication with the Palestinian president because Indonesia actively supports the independence of the country," Yudhoyono said moments before leaving the Halim Perdanakusua military airbase for China and South Korea, on Wednesday morning.
The head of state mentioned that he had just received President Abbas' letter delivered to him by the Palestinian ambassador to Indonesia.
Yudhoyono said that in the letter Abbas thanked Indonesia for its support and cooperation in the independence struggle of the Palestinian state.
He added that during his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon here recently, they also discussed ways to solve the Palestinian problem peacefully and fairly.
President Yudhoyono and his entourage left Halim Perdanakusua Airport at 10 am on Thursday for a state visit to China and South Korea until March 29.
Presidential special staff Teuku Faizasyah said the head of state would be in Beijing for a state visit until March 23 and then to Hong Kong for a working visit from March 24-25, before proceeding to Seoul, South Korea until March 29.
In Beijing, the Indonesian president will hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
While in Hong Kong, President Yudhoyono will meet related leaders in the country to discuss a joint effort to step up the cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, employment, education, tourism, and social culture.
Finally, in South Korea the Indonesian head of state will attend a nuclear security summit to speak on Nuclear Security-Safety Interface and National Measures and International Cooperation to Enhance Nuclear Security, including Future Commitments.
(O001/INE/O001)
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
