Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyoo said Indonesia and Singapore had been committed to increasing cooperation between the two countries.

He told newsmen during a visit to the Nipah island in the Riau Islands on Saturday that that was one of the results of his talks with Singapore`s president Tony Tan during his visit to that country earlier.

"This was the first I met with the new Singapore`s president Tony Tan although he is my old friend and it was a good opportunity for us to remain committed to continuously increasing the friendship and partnership between the two countries," he said.

President Yudhoyono had made a two-day visit to Singapore before visiting the Indonesian outermost island of Nipah in the Riau Islands province by naval ship KRI Diponegoro on Saturday.

While in Singapore President Yudhoyono had met with Singapore`s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and US senators John McCain and Jospeh Lieberman.

He had also given a key-note speech at a Shangri La Dialog on security and defense in the Asia Pacific region.

During the meeting with John McCain and Joseph Lieberman President Yudhoyono said Indonesia continued to contribute to maintain the harmonious relations between civilizations and play a role in the democratization process in the world.

"I have listened to the two senators` hope that Indonesia would play an active role in sharing its experience in democratization and in maintaining the harmonious relations between civilizations. Certainly we have done all that and would continue to do it as our contribution to the world communities," he said.

In the meeting with them President Yudhoyono had exchanged views on current political, economic and security situation in Asia and also developments in the Middle East.

He had also discussed bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and the US which has now been developing well. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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