Rumanian president arrives in Indonesia
Rumanian president arrives in Indonesia
JAKARTA (JP): Rumanian President Emil Constantinescu and his
entourage arrived here yesterday for a three-day state visit to
boost economic relations with Indonesia.
Constantinescu and his wife, Nadia, were greeted on the steps
of State Palace by President Soeharto, Vice President Try
Sutrisno, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono and Minister of
Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat who is also acting as foreign
minister in the absence of Ali Alatas who is abroad.
A state welcoming ceremony including a 21-gun salute greeted
Constantinescu, after which he paid a courtesy call on Soeharto
at Merdeka Palace.
"The two countries need to know each other better in efforts
to boost economic and trade relations," Moerdiono quoted Soeharto
as telling his guest.
According to the Rumanian Embassy in Jakarta, the country's
exports to Indonesia from January to April this year stood at
US$17.7 million, mostly in steel and chemical products, while its
imports totaled $5.6 million, mostly cocoa, coffee and tea.
Constantinescu emphasized the importance of his visit here,
saying that in the coming century Asia-Pacific countries would
play a key role in the world economy together with North America
and European Union.
The Rumanian leader's entourage includes Minister of
State/Minister of Foreign Affairs Adrian Severin, Minister of
State/Minister for Reform Ulm Spineanu and Minister of
State/Minister of Finance Mircea Ciumara.
"President Constantinescu described Indonesia as heaven,"
Moerdiono said.
Today the two heads of state and their relevant ministers will
hold bilateral talks on economic and other international issues.
Later this afternoon Constantinescu will attend a luncheon
with members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In the evening, President Soeharto will hold a banquet to
honor the Rumanian president.
Tomorrow morning he will leave for Yogyakarta for a brief
visit, and fly to the holiday resort island of Bali in the
afternoon before flying to Rumania in the evening. (06)