PM Keating set for two visits to Jakarta

PM Keating set for two visits to Jakarta

CANBERRA (AFP): Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating is expected to make his third visit to Indonesia in 18 months in June, in a bid to further boost ties with Jakarta, officials said yesterday.

The prime minister is due to attend a major trade fair and to hold talks with Indonesia's President Soeharto, during the two- day trip, they said.

The Today Indonesia '94 promotion in late June will be the largest ever held by Canberra overseas, and is a reflection of its eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties as a priority of Keating's foreign policy.

Confirmation of the visit, penciled in for June 27-29, is expected from Jakarta soon, government sources here said.

And Keating is set to go to Jakarta again in late November for an unprecedented fourth visit in two years since becoming prime minister, to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

He has made strengthening ties with Indonesia a priority of his foreign policy and made his first foreign trip as leader to Jakarta in early 1992.

Keating held talks with Soeharto during a three-day stopover on his return from a Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Cyprus last November.

Indonesian government and business representatives have reciprocated with a similarly large number of visits to Australia, Canberra officials said.

The Jakarta trade and cultural promotion was launched here by Indonesian Ambassador Sabam Siagian in March.

More than 200 Australian firms will take part in a joint trade fair -- Expanding Horizons - Australia Indonesia into the 21st Century -- which will "emphasize the practical aspects of developing joint ventures and managing investments in Indonesia and Australia".

The month-long promotion, also to be held in Surabaya, will include sporting events, cultural displays and education seminars.

But its emphasis will be on trade and exports such as food packaging and processing, telecommunications and information technology, transport infrastructure, mining, building and construction.

Trade Minister Bob McMullan will officially lead the Australian delegation, while Education Minister Simon Crean and Industry Minister Peter Cook will also visit Jakarta.