Italy lauds Mega's trip to Dili

Italy lauds Mega's trip to Dili

JAKARTA: The Italian government hailed on Thursday President Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to attend East Timor's independence declaration on May 20, Antara reported.

Visiting Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Margherita Boniver believed the decision to visit East Timor reflected the Indonesian government's wisdom, which she said would pave the way for close ties between Jakarta and Dili.

Boniver was here to sign a memorandum of understanding on Italy's rice assistance to Indonesia.

Megawati's visit will also lead to the establishment of a concrete cooperation, adding that as a fledgling nation East Timor will need to cooperate with many countries, Boniver said.