Bulgarian President visits Indonesia

Bulgarian President visits Indonesia

Bulgarian President Georgi Purbanov arrived here on Friday for a
four-day state visit aimed at enhancing diplomatic relations and
cooperation between the two countries.

Purbanov, the first-ever Bulgarian president to visit
Indonesia, will have bilateral talks with President Megawati
Soekarnoputri at the State Palace on Saturday. After the talks,
Megawati and Purbanov are expected to hold a joint media
conference.

The two heads of state are expected to witness the signing of
a memorandum of understanding on investment protection, the
establishment of a consultation forum between the foreign affairs
ministries of the two countries and exchange of information
between Indonesia's Antara news agency and Bulgaria's BTA.

On Saturday evening, Megawati will host a state dinner for
President Purbanov.

"This is the first visit by a Bulgarian president to
Indonesia, although diplomatic relations were established in
1957," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The last visit by an Indonesian leader to Bulgaria was in 1960
by former president Sukarno, the father of Megawati.

Indonesia established diplomatic relations with Bulgaria in
1957 and opened its first embassy in Sofia in 1962.

During his visit, President Purbanov will also hold meetings
with House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and lay a
wreath at Kalibata Heroes' cemetery.

Purbanov and his entourage are planning to fly to Yogyakarta
on Monday morning to visit Borobudur and Prambanan temples and
leave the country on Monday afternoon. -- JP