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