Canadian leader visits Aceh

In an effort to highlight Canada's long-term commitment to post- tsunami relief operations in Indonesia, Parliament Speaker Dan Hays is currently visiting tsunami-affected areas in Aceh province, the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta said.

Hays, along with an eight-member parliamentary delegation, who came to Indonesia on a week-long trip (March 12 to March 18), arrived in Banda Aceh on Monday and will be returning to Jakarta on Wednesday.

"The visit of this high-level delegation to Jakarta and Banda Aceh is indicative of Canada's strong and positive bilateral relations with Indonesia," Canada's Ambassador to Indonesia Randolph Mank said in a press release sent to The Jakarta Post

During his stay in Indonesia, Hays also plans to meet Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Thursday. He has already met with House of Representatives' Speaker Agung Laksono, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid and the chairman of the Regional Representatives Council Ginandjar Kartasasmita on Monday. -- JP