PM Keating set for two visits to Jakarta<\/p>\n
CANBERRA (AFP): Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating is
\nexpected to make his third visit to Indonesia in 18 months in
\nJune, in a bid to further boost ties with Jakarta, officials said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The prime minister is due to attend a major trade fair and to
\nhold talks with Indonesia's President Soeharto, during the two-
\nday trip, they said.<\/p>\n
The Today Indonesia '94 promotion in late June will be the
\nlargest ever held by Canberra overseas, and is a reflection of
\nits eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties as a priority of
\nKeating's foreign policy.<\/p>\n
Confirmation of the visit, penciled in for June 27-29, is
\nexpected from Jakarta soon, government sources here said.<\/p>\n
And Keating is set to go to Jakarta again in late November for
\nan unprecedented fourth visit in two years since becoming prime
\nminister, to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
\nsummit.<\/p>\n
He has made strengthening ties with Indonesia a priority of
\nhis foreign policy and made his first foreign trip as leader to
\nJakarta in early 1992.<\/p>\n
Keating held talks with Soeharto during a three-day stopover
\non his return from a Commonwealth heads of government meeting in
\nCyprus last November.<\/p>\n
Indonesian government and business representatives have
\nreciprocated with a similarly large number of visits to
\nAustralia, Canberra officials said.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta trade and cultural promotion was launched here by
\nIndonesian Ambassador Sabam Siagian in March.<\/p>\n
More than 200 Australian firms will take part in a joint trade
\nfair -- Expanding Horizons - Australia Indonesia into the 21st
\nCentury -- which will \"emphasize the practical aspects of
\ndeveloping joint ventures and managing investments in Indonesia
\nand Australia\".<\/p>\n
The month-long promotion, also to be held in Surabaya, will
\ninclude sporting events, cultural displays and education
\nseminars.<\/p>\n
But its emphasis will be on trade and exports such as food
\npackaging and processing, telecommunications and information
\ntechnology, transport infrastructure, mining, building and
\nconstruction.<\/p>\n
Trade Minister Bob McMullan will officially lead the
\nAustralian delegation, while Education Minister Simon Crean and
\nIndustry Minister Peter Cook will also visit Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pm-keating-set-for-two-visits-to-jakarta-1447899208",
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