Starting Overseas Working Visit, SBY: This is My Last Visit as President

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and entourage, departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Jakarta on Thursday morning (18/9) to start overseas trip to Portugal, United States, Japan which will last until 30^th September.

In the press conference prior to his departure, SBY said that this trip would be his last time as Indonesian President. “God Willing, it is my last international duty and overseas trip in my capacity as Indonesian President,” he said.

President SBY recognized that in term of length of time, this visit would be the longest one in 10 years he led this country. “It is because there are three bilateral activities in Portugal, United States, and Japan, and not less important multilateral duty at UN Headquarter in New York,” he said.

He explained that the visit to Portugal which would initial the series of his overseas trip was to fulfill the invitation of Portuguese President Cavaco da Silva conveyed to him in bilateral meeting in May 2012 in Jakarta. “The visit also strengthen the normalization of both countries after being frozen once in the period of East Timor’s integration which then recovered in 1999 following Timor Leste’s poll,” SBY said.

As for visit to United State which will take place on 20^th-27^th September, President SBY is scheduled to pay a visit in two cities, i.e. New York and Washington DC.

According to President SBY, he would attend a number of events, particularly UN General Assembly. “I will deliver speech in UN General Assembly, convey my farewell in the presence of the noble audience,” he said.

Moreover, President SBY will also chair plenary session of UN Climate Summit 2014, and deliver a speech in the opening of Open Government Partnership High Level Event (OGP-HLE) themed Citizen Action, Responsive Government.

Apart of the agenda of UN session, President SBY will also attend Global Green Growth Leaders’ Gathering to listen to the nomination of GGGI President who nominates President SBY as GGGI President succeeding Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen.

President SBY’s agenda in Washington is to inaugurate Saraswati statue at KBRI Washington DC. The 5.2 meter statue is built in frontcourt of KBRI office which is located in the heart of Washington DC.

Besides that, President SBY is scheduled to inaugurate Indonesian Muslim Association in America (IMAAM) Center, which will be a place for Muslims in Washington DC gather, pray, and give public lecture in George Washington University.

The series of President SBY’s trip will be ended with a visit to Kyoto, Japan, to receive the title of Honoris Cause from Ritsumeikan University.

During his visit in Kyoto, Japan, President SBY is scheduled to meet and exchange ideas with Indonesian friends in Japan, both from economic actors and experts, regarding sustainable efforts in building mutually beneficial bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan.

Jakarta Governor Joko Widowo who is also the elected President for 2014-2019 and Vice President Boediono were also presence in the departure of President SBY and First Lady Hj. Ani Yudhoyono at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport on Thursday morning (18/9) in Jakarta.

Some Officials who accompanied President in his visit among others were Minister of Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa, Coordinating Minister of Economy Chairul Tanjung, Minister of State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, Minister of Industry MS Hidayat, Presidential Special Staff for Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah, and Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha.  (ES)(Rin)