Brazilian president in Bali

JAKARTA (JP): Brazilian president Fernando Hendrique Cardoso and his entourage arrived in Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday for a three-day informal visit.

There is no official itinerary of Cardoso's first Indonesian visit until he departs the tourist island for East Timor on Monday morning. Later on that day, Cardoso is scheduled to fly to Jakarta, before leaving for home.

Bali governor Dewa Berata, Brazilian ambassador to Indonesia Jediel Ferreira, Udayana Military Command Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Agus Suyitno and the provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Wayan Ardjana were among those who welcomed Cardoso.

Cardoso arrived from South Korea, where he made a four-day state visit.

Berata said his province has tied up a cooperation deal with a Brazilian province on tourism, economy and trade.

"The cooperation agreement was signed by former governor Ida Bagus Oka, and I will maintain the ties," Berata said, as quoted by Antara.

Bali has three sister cities around the globe: Hainan, China, Okinawa, Japan, and Cheju, South Korea. (amd)