Berlin (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle at Hotel Adlon Kempinski, here on Monday evening.

"I heard from Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa that your recent visit to Indonesia together with several German businessmen was successful and ran well. For this, I express my sincere congratulation," President Yudhoyono said.

On the occasion, the president also appreciated the Indonesian-German good relations which had been fostered and running well so far.

The head of state expressed hope that cooperation would continue to be advanced and both countries would continue to create new opportunities for the expansion of their bilateral cooperation.

After the meeting, Presidential Special Staff for International Affairs Teuku Faizasyah said that in the meeting the German foreign minister appreciated the establishment of an Indonesian-German advisory team.

Faizasyah expressed hope that the team would start working in a not-too distant time to provide suggestions and considerations to the two heads of state regarding bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Yudhoyono has also held closed-door talks with four chief executive officers of top German companies at the same hotel.

The President held the talks with the four German CEOs in turns from 2 pm to 3.15 pm.

The four CEOs are Martin Winterkorn of Volkswagen AG, Peter Loscher of Siemens AG, Klaus Lesker of Ferrostaal GmbH, and Gerard Guillouet of PT Accor Asia Pacific in Indonesia.

Earlier, at the luncheon with German and Indonesian businessmen, the President expressed the government`s commitment to encouraging investment and mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Germany.

Following the meeting with the German CEOs, the President laid a wreath at the Neue Wache memorial as a mark of respect for the victims of war.

On Monday night, the Indonesian leader attended a state banquet at the Bellevue Palace.

Yudhoyono and entourage arrived in Berlin on Sunday night for a three-day working visit until March 6.

From Germany, he will continue his trip to Hungary where he will meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

While in Hungary, Yudhoyono will also meet with local investors to discuss investment potentials in Indonesia.

Yudhoyono`s entourage includes First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Syamsuddin, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, and Trade Minister Gita Wiryawan.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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