Indonesia And NZ To Step Up Bilateral Relations

Indonesia And NZ To Step Up Bilateral Relations

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key held a bilateral meeting in Singapore on Saturday morning to step up already good relations between the two countries.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said after the meeting that the two government leaders were satisfied about the two countries' partnership in various fields and agreed to further strengthen their relations.

"Trade between Indonesia and New Zealand from 2006 to 2008 grew by 30 percent," Dino said as quoted by Antara state news agency.

He added that President Yudhoyono on the occasion also expressed his gratitude for New Zealand's support for the Bali Democratic Forum in December and cooperation to hold an interfaith dialog.

"Indonesia will next year host a 'Regional Asia Pacific Interfaith Dialog', and it will be a cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand," Dino said.

He said the two leaders also discussed developments in the run-up to the climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, and agreed on the need for a breakthrough.

During the 30-minute meeting, Yudhoyono and Key also discussed possible renewable energy cooperation in which New Zealand had a profound interest.

Both heads of states are in Singapore to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

ENDS

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