Russia backs next year's Asia-Africa Summit
Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Russia has wholeheartedly welcomed Indonesia's efforts to revive the Bandung spirit and hold a commemorative summit of the Asian- African Conference in Jakarta and Bandung next year, the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia said.
"Fifty years ago, we supported the holding of Bandung conference to promote solidarity and cooperation among Asian and African countries. It was this conference that led to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)," Ambassador Mikhail Mikhailovich Bely said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.
Bely said NAM has been quite successful in the past and still plays a positive role in international politics.
"If invited as an observer to the Asian-African Conference next year in Jakarta, Russia is willing to send a high level delegation to the meeting. We support the efforts of Indonesia to promote cooperation between Asian and African states," Bely, who submitted his credentials to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Nov. 25, said.
Indonesia will host the historic Asian-African Summit in Jakarta and Bandung from April 21-23, 2005. More than 100 countries from Asia and Africa are expected to participate in the biggest ever gathering of developing nations.
Indonesia and Russia enjoy cordial relations. Recently, both countries' leaders -- SBY and Vladimir Putin -- met in Chile on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting last month.
"President Yudhoyono and President Putin have mutually extended invitations to visit each other's countries. President Putin invited Yudhoyono to visit Russia and vice versa," Bely said.
The ambassador also mentioned that the military ties between Russia and Indonesia have improved a lot in recent years.
"In 2003, Indonesia bought our Sukhoi fighter planes and helicopters. Our companies also participated in the recently held Indonesian Defense Expo. Both sides are currently negotiating to improve military cooperation between the countries. I see good prospects for our relationship in this sector," Bely said.