I believe our cooperation with other countries will be getting better in the future."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said Indonesias bargaining position in regional and global relations has been improving as the country plays an increasingly important role in various international forums and organizations.
"I say this is the last year (of my second term in office). During the past nine years (of my term in office) I have helped voice our interests," Yudhoyono told a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport here on Sunday morning shortly after returning from a three-day visit to Japan.
"I believe our cooperation with other countries will be getting better in the future. Many countries now consider us a true partner," he said.
The President expressed hope that the next government would be able to continue and develop the countrys role in international forums as part of efforts to protect and realize the national interests.
"I hope that the next government will be able to continue what we have done in ASEAN, East Asia and global forums in this case G20 and the United Nations," he said.
"Opportunities are always there. Problems continuously come and go. No country feels safe. The threat of upheaval and crisis may come any time. Thats why we must actively cooperate with other countries while at the same time managing our domestic affairs. Go willing, there will be solution to the problem facing us," he said.
Yudhoyono said at the meeting marking the 40th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN relations in Tokyo at the weekend, both sides not only touched on the economic agenda discussed at the G-20 Summit in St Petersburg, Russia, APEC Summit in Bali and East Asia Summit in Brunei Darussalam but also discussed tension in East Asia.
"As the host of (the meeting), Japan is of the view that the tension must not be left unheeded. Japan expects ASEAN to contribute to solving the tension," he said.
(Reporting by Panca Hari Prabowo/Uu.S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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