"In recent talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon we agreed we are not yet satisfied with the development of nuclear weapons reduction. It has to do not only with security but also safety, as has been experienced by Japan," Indonesia`s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at a press conference before leaving for working visits in China and South Korea here on Thursday.
President Yudhoyono will also attend a summit on nuclear safety in Seoul on March 26 to 27.
"Our younger generation must not be haunted (by nuclear threats). Nuclear energy must be used for the benefit of life," he said.
During the summit, President Yudhoyono is scheduled to deliver a speech on issues, including nuclear security-safety communications and national measures, as well as international cooperation to enhance nuclear security, including future international commitments.
President Yudhoyono said Indonesia is one of 59 countries that would participate in the summit.
He added that Indonesia`s participation is considered timely because the country, at the recent East Asia Summit in Bali, had voiced the need for preventing the development of nuclear weapons and in favor of nuclear disarmament.
Regarding bilateral relations between Indonesia and South Korea, President Yudhoyono noted that cooperation between the two countries continues growing and so the coming bilateral meeting between the two countries` leaders would be used to increase further cooperation.
President Yudhoyono, while in South Korea, is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with President Lee Myung-bak and meet with South Korean businesses.
Also, President Yudhoyono and President Lee are scheduled to witness the signing of two Memorandum of Understanding on Comprehensive Energy Cooperation and on Transportation.
President Yudhoyono`s special aide for foreign affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, meanwhile said President Yudhoyono`s visit to China and South Korea would further strengthen the relations and cooperation between Indonesia and the two countries.
He explained that the visit was also expected to promote the realization of various cooperation agreements found in strategic partnership agreements between Indonesia and the two countries.
Faizasyah also said President Yudhoyono`s visit to Hong Kong was expected to open a larger market for the country`s products and attract more investment and tourists to Indonesia.
President Yudhoyono, accompanied by First Lady Any Yudhoyono, left the country at 10am on Thursday and is scheduled to return home on March 29.
(T.P008/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
