Kuala Lumpur - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will arrive for a two-day visit to Malaysia on Friday for the annual consultation with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Susilo, who will be accompanied by his wife Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials, will first attend a restricted meeting with Abdullah before proceeding with a delegation meeting to discuss issues of mutual interests between the two countries.
Regional and international issues of concern to both countries will also feature in their talks, Wisma Putra said in a statement.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, will confer on Susilo the Honorary Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN).
The Indonesian president will deliver a keynote address on bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia at a function hosted by the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations on Saturday, it said.
Susilo will also attend a concert jointly staged by artistes from Malaysia and Indonesia to mark the 50th bilateral relations anniversary between both countries.
Wisma Putra said Malaysia and Indonesia enjoyed warm ties at all levels, with the two neighbours cooperating closely in trade, investment, education, defence, culture and security through various working groups such as the General Border Committee and Malaysia-Indonesia Socio-Economic Working Committee.
Existing bilateral mechanisms established by both countries to enhance two-way ties and cooperation such as the annual consultation have helped strengthen cooperation between the two friendly nations, it said.
The visit is envisaged to further enhance existing close bonds of friendship and bilateral collaborations in all fields between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Source: www.bernama.com.my (9 Januari 2008)
