French minister due here

JAKARTA (JP): French Minister of Economy and Finance Jean Arthuis is scheduled to arrive here today for a two-day visit to boost bilateral cooperation.

The French minister is expected to meet President Soeharto, Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance Saleh Afiff, Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad during his visit.

Topics to be addressed during Arthuis' meetings with Indonesian officials include bilateral financial relations and the strengthening of economic cooperation as well as multilateral financial issues and the results of the recent meeting in Lyon of the Group of Seven (G-7) industrial countries.

This visit, following the visits of French Minister of Foreign Affairs Harve de Charette last February and President Jacques Chirac's special envoy on G-7 issues last May, marks France's strong commitment in developing its bilateral ties with Indonesia, the French embassy said. (hen)