The President in the company of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono departed from Halim Perdanakusuma military airport in East Jakarta at 08.15 a.m. local time for Sweden by a presidential flight.
President Yudhoyono told a press conference prior to his departure that his visit to Sweden is to meet the invitation of King Carl XIV Gustav as well as to reciprocate the Swedish King`s and Prime Minister`s visits to Indonesia some time ago.
The visit is expected to enhance cooperation between the two countries, President Yudhoyono said.
He said the Indonesian cooperation with Sweden is of paramount importance compared to that with the rest of Europe. "And I think the cooperation can be enhanced further."
While in Sweden, President Yudhoyono will pay a courtesy call on King Carl XVI Gustav and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Speaker of the Parliament Per Westerberg.
At the meetings, the two countries will discuss issues of mutual concern in economic, environmental, educational, health, infrastructure, research and technological fields.
The two countries will also sign memorandums of understanding in scientific, technological and innovation and health fields.
Yudhoyono said while he is in Stockholm for one-and-a-half days, he will also meet with a number of CEOs of leading companies in Sweden to attract more investment.
From Sweden, the Indonesian leader will leave for New York, the United States, to attend the fifth meeting of High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and submit the final report of the panel to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The meeting will be the last of its kinds after similar gatherings were held in New York in September 2012, London in November 2012, Monrovia in February 2013, and Bali in March 2013.
The President said he will lead the meeting which will discuss and endorse the final report of the panel.
The Indonesian leader on behalf of co-chairmen and members of the panel will later submit the report to the UN chief.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked President Yudhoyono, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to co-chair the meeting which will discuss the post-2015 development agenda.
Yudhoyono is chief of the high level panel formed by the UN to find a new pattern of global development after the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015.
While in New York, President Yudhoyono will also attend UN General Assembly to brief the president of the UN General Assembly and UN members on the report.
The submission of the report will mark the accomplishment of the tasks and mandate of the panel appointed by the UN secretary general.
During his stay in New York, President Yudhoyono will also receive a World Statesman Award from the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (AoCF) for his services in promoting democracy, contributing to the creation of more peaceful international order, and encouraging respect for human rights, freedom of religion and inter-civilizational relations.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
