"Of course there are many more fields in which we are going to develop bilateral cooperation."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has stated that Indonesia and Britain will focus on cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, education, environment, democracy, and religion.
He told the press at Halim Perdakakusuma airport, before leaving for Britain on Tuesday morning, that the two countries were planning to boost bilateral cooperation in the five fields.
"During this state visit, I will meet with British prime minister, deputy prime minister, and opposition leader," Yudhoyono said, adding that Indonesia`s strategic cooperation with Britain continued to improve, with the two countries` bilateral trade value reaching US$3 billion.
"Of course there are many more fields in which we are going to develop bilateral cooperation," he continued.
In the company of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, the head of state and his entourage - including Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegwa, and a number of state officials - left for a three-day visit to Britain at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Meanwhile, presidential special staff for international relations Teuku Faizasyah said President Yudhoyono was scheduled to meet with Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister David Cameron, some high-ranking officials of the United Kingdom, Prince Charles, Liberal Democrat Party Chairman Nick Clegg, and opposition leader Ed Miliband.
"President Yudhoyono`s visit to Britain is expected to boost the two countries` cooperation both at the bilateral level and in the context of joint efforts to address various global issues," he noted.
Faizasyah added that the President would speak before All-Party Parliamentary Group on Indonesia, Royal College for Defence Studies, and Wilton Park - an executive agency of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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