RI, Germany to establish eminent-persons forum

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday that Indonesia and Germany would agree on an eminent-persons forum, which would consist of prominent figures with multiple areas of expertise, to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

“I will meet with several prominent German entrepreneurs and establish an eminent-persons forum aimed at maintaining good relations between the two countries,” the President told a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta today before he departed for an official visit to Berlin, Germany.

The President and German chancellor Angela Merkel are co-hosting an international tourism exhibition in Berlin. The President was upbeat that the event could improve Indonesia’s tourism sector and help the country to become comparable to destinations such as China, Singapore and Thailand.

Several Cabinet members accompanied the President in the state visit, including Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Industry Minister MS Hidayat and Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan.

“President Yudhoyono has arranged bilateral meetings with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany and German chancellor Angela Merkel. In the two meetings, they will discuss follow-up measures of the comprehensive partnership launched by President Yudhoyono and the German chancellor in Jakarta on July 10, 2012,” presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said in a statement released previously.

Faizasyah added that the leaders would also discuss several priority cooperation areas including economy (trade, investment and development); health; education; research and technology; and defense industry. Several other cooperation areas, such as food security; energy security; and transportation would also be discussed.

The names of the members of the Indonesia-Germany Advisory Group (IGAG) are yet to be announced. However, Fauzi Bowo and Ilham Habibie are tipped to be involved.

“The President will also receive honorary visits from former German president Horst Kohler, German Foreign Affairs Minister Guido Westerwelle and Berlin mayor Herr Klaus Wowereit. During his time in Germany, President Yudhoyono will officially open the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) tourism exhibition with the German chancellor,” Faizasyah said.

The President is also scheduled to attend a business forum and have a meeting with the Indonesian Diaspora community.

In addition, the state visit to Hungary will take place from March 5 to 8, 2013. During the visit, Yudhoyono will undertake bilateral discussions with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban.

“The President’s visit to Hungary could hopefully revitalize the relations between Indonesia and Hungary, a key country in central and eastern Europe,” said Faizasyah, adding that the last Indonesian president to visit Hungary was former president Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2002.

President Yudhoyono and First Lady Any Yudhoyoni are scheduled to return to Jakarta on March 9, 2013. (ebf)