Susilo arrives for annual consultation

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived yesterday for the annual consultation with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Susilo, accompanied by his wife, Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, is leading a 150-member delegation comprising Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

He was greeted on arrival at the KL International Airport in Sepang by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, his wife, Datin Seri Sharifah Aziah Syed Zainal Abidin, senior ministry and Indonesian Embassy officials.

Syed Hamid said Susilo’s three-day visit boded well for future bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.

He said Susilo and Abdullah would discuss issues of mutual interests to both countries.

Regional and international issues of concern to both countries would also feature in their talks, he told reporters at the airport.

Syed Hamid said outstanding bilateral issues, problems and misunderstandings, including questions of labour and media, would take centrestage in their talks.

“We’ve prepared a joint statement that will be announced at a joint press conference by Abdullah and Susilo,” he said.

The minister also said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Joint Trade and Investment between Malaysia and Indonesia would be signed.

“We welcome the visit. The Prime Minister too is happy with the visit. I think they have a very big delegation of 150 people,” Syed Hamid added.