The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has arrived in the country to participate in the Second Summit of the Pacific Islands Development Forum.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who met President Yudhoyono at Nadi Airport, said the visit marks a historic moment for Fiji and for the region.
He said that the Indonesian President’s presence here shows the importance of the PIDF, the Pacific’s grand coalition of regional governments, civil society organisations and the private sector.
The Prime Minister also said that Indonesia, a nation of more than 250 million people spread across nearly 13,500 islands is one of the Pacific’s most important development partners, adding that there are many areas for closer cooperation and partnership.
The Indonesian Head of State was accorded a 100 men guard of honor by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Naval Forces upon his arrival at Nadi Airport.
While in Fiji, President Yudhoyono is also expected to hold talks with senior government officials including the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
The Second Summit will include high‑level participants from 12 Pacific island governments, as well as observers from nations such as Morocco, Venezuela, Israel, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Kuwait and Georgia.
The Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Siale’ataongo Tu’ivakano also arrived for the meeting last night.
Bainimarama will chair the PIDF Governing Council meeting later this morning.
