Hassan to hold series of bilateral talks

INDONESIA: Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda will hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from several countries on the sidelines of the upcoming 37th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Jakarta, an official said.

Marty A. Natalegawa, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said that Indonesia -- the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the host of the AMM as well as the ASEAN Regional Forum -- would use the occasion to discuss several issues with friendly countries.

Each meeting will take place for about 30 minutes.

On June 28, Hassan will meet foreign ministers from North Korea, Vietnam, East Timor, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar.

On June 29, Hassan is slated to sign a preliminary border agreement with his East Timor counterpart Ramos Horta. On the same day, Hassan also will hold talks with South Korean and Mongolian foreign ministers.

Meanwhile, on July 1 Hassan will meet with the foreign ministers of Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the European Union. -- JP