"Australia is proud to have provided not just moral support and encouragement but practical, active assistance for Indonesia`s three elections since 1998," said Gillard during his speech in Bali Democracy Forum (BDF).
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - The Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said that her country was proud to support Indonesian democracy not only in form of moral but also in an action.

"Australia is proud to have provided not just moral support and encouragement but practical, active assistance for Indonesia`s three elections since 1998," said Gillard during his speech in Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) V, Nusa Dua, Bali, Thursday.

Gillard recalled her memory while spending time in a village in West Timor 14 years ago, while Indonesia did its free and fair election.

"That was fully democracy where in line with Indonesian people culture," Gillard added.

Indonesia has shown its capability to become fully democratic country by implementing the election.

According to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono speech in first BDF in 2008, Gillard stated that she agreed with Yudhoyono statement that democracy is also for Asia.

"I could not agree more, indeed I have seen this with my own eyes," she stated.

In this fifth annual BDF, Gillard together with Yudhoyono and South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak, chair this forum that was already run since 2008.

About 1243 delegations from 83 countries and international organization attending this forum which is themed Advancing Global Democracy, How the World Democratic Effort to Contribute in International Security and Peacekeeping, Economic Growth, and Human Right.

Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Iran President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and Papua New Guniea Peter O'Neill to attend the forum.

The 24 foreign ministers, United Nation of Human Right Commisioner Navanethem Pillay and United States Congress Member Mc Dermott are also attending the forum.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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