New Zealand PM to visit Indonesia

JAKARTA: New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark is scheduled to arrive on Sunday for a two-day visit to Indonesia, the New Zealand Embassy said in a press release on Wednesday.

In her first trip here, Clark will hold talks with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on a range of questions, including people- smuggling and terrorism.

The summit follows a meeting between the two woman leaders in Shanghai, China, where they attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) summit last October.

"Developments in Indonesia can affect the stability of our region. My visit will provide an opportunity to consolidate New Zealand's bilateral links with Indonesia and to develop a closer working relationship with Jakarta on a range of questions, including people-smuggling and terrorism," Clark said as quoted in the media release.

During her visit, Clark will also meet Muslim leaders and non- governmental groups to see an update on how the Indonesian government is progressing with its reform goals in the economic, governance and human rights area. -- JP