Maluku to build win-win cooperation with neighboring countries

Antara News, Monday, March 15, 2010 14:53 WIB

Ambon (ANTARA News) - Sail Banda 2010 is expected to be the "Entry Point" for Maluku province to build win-win cooperation with neighboring countries.

Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu said here on Monday that the upcoming international marine event would be the entry point for the province to knit a win-win cooperation with neighbor countries such as Australia, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

"I have just returned from Australia and Papua New Guinea to accompany President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his state visit to the two countries," Governor Ralahalu said.

The governor said that during the visit, Sail Banda event got positive support from the Australian and Papua New Guinean leaders when President Yudhoyono explained it to them in a dialog.

Ralahalu said Sail Banda 2010, scheduled for July to August this year, would be an event to improve the welfare of local people and to create peaceful and free-conflict zones in the province in the future.

Various kinds of international activities will coincide with Sail Banda event which is to be attended by hundreds, even thousands of experts and scientists from many countries.

Governor Ralahalu admitted that in his visit to Australia to accompany President Yudhoyono, he did not have time to explain Sail Banda directly to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, but in a diplomatic talks between Yudhoyono and Rudd, it was mentioned and would be discussed further.

"I did not have time to discuss Sail Banda with the Australian prime minister but I did with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, and the PNG leader promised to visit Maluku next August. I also reported it to President Yudhoyono and the president has as well officially invited Somare to visit Maluku during the Sail Banda event," Ralahalu said.

He said the PNG prime minister was glad to meet with the governors from eastern Indonesia and promised to visit Maluku and other provinces in eastern Indonesia later.

Ralahalu said various international agenda would be discussed in conjunction with Sail Band 2010.

Therefore, the governor called on all public elements in Maluku to fully support the success of Sail Banda 2010.

"We have to be a good host for such an international marine event and to make it a success, because it will have a positive impact on the glory of Maluku in the international eyes," Governor Ralahalau said.