Yudhoyono to confer awards on Xanana and Aquino

JAKARTA. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is to bestow the Adipurna Award on Philippines President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and East Timor Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao at the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF).

Presidential staffer for international relations Teuku Faizasyah said on Thursday that the Adipurna star is the highest award given by the Indonesian government to a foreign statesman and is to be conferred on the leaders of the two countries because of their efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with Indonesia.

Both Xanana and Benigno are scheduled to participate in the seventh BDF held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Oct. 10 and 11.

The Philippines president will lead the forum along with Yudhoyono.

"The presence of the Philippines president as co-chair of the seventh BDF is significant, considering that the Philippines was one of the first countries in the region to install democracy. A lot can be learned from the experiences of the Philippines," Faizasyah said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam will also attend the event. (hhr)