"I hope that President Yudhoyono can promote culture and cooperation between the two cities", said Lisbon Mayor Antonio Costa, while receiving Yudhoyonos at Lisbon city hall on Friday.
Mayor Costa admitted that he is proud that Lisbon was one of the cities visited by Yudhoyono at the end of his term as President of Indonesia.
In his remarks, Yudhoyono said that Lisbon is one of the most important cities, where earlier sea voyage expeditions began, as the country pioneered contacts between Europe and Asia.
The long time relationship between Portugal and Indonesia can be seen from the influence of Portuguese folk music, Fado, in the Indonesian Kroncong Tugu, as well as a number of cultural influences in Aceh, which were absorbed after being brought from voyagers from Portugal.
"This becomes a strong reason to increase the people-to-people contact, and enhancing relations was the main discussion topic in the Indonesian President and Portuguese Prime Minister's meeting earlier today", Yudhoyono said.
Yudhoyono also said he appreciated the Lisbon Golden Key award and considers it to be a symbol to unlock the enhancements and opportunities for both sides in developing their relations.
"I receive the Golden Key of Lisbon as a symbol to unlock the cooperation among the two countries," Yudhoyono added.
Besides the Golden Key of Lisbon, Yudhoyono also received a painting made by students at a Lisbon elementary school depicting the friendship between Indonesia and Portugal.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
