APEC FURTHER CEMENTS RI-RUSSIA TIES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 8 (Antara) - The first session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit began on Monday after the arrival at noon of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was the final leader to arrive in Bali.          But there was a special surprise for Putin during the first day of the summit  on Monday, as it coincided with his 61st birthday and APEC leaders congratulated him and sang happy birthday songs for him.          As a special appreciation, host President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono played the guitar to accompany a happy birthday song.          In his opening address at the session, President Yudhoyono welcomed President Putin to the APEC Summit.          The Indonesian President then met the Russian President on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. The two leaders and their delegations met at Sofitel Hotel at 5 p.m. local time.          President Putin expressed his thanks to Yudhoyono for the surprise he received for his birthday during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit.          "I would like to express my greatest thanks for the congratulation extended to me over my birthday, which is a big and unexpected surprise," the Russian President said. The bilateral meeting was held for about 15 minutes after President Yudhoyono opened the first session.          According to Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Djauhari Oratmangun, Putin has close relations with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.          The two leaders have met several times at various international forums and have had conservations over the phone, he said.          "President Putin's attending the APEC Summit in Bali is indicative of how important Indonesia is for Russia," he said.          Therefore, the APEC summit will further cement the friendship and bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia.          During the bilateral meeting, President Yudhoyono said relations between the two countries have continued to develop and "our meeting this time is aimed at enhancing our cooperation."     President Putin shared President Yudhoyono's views, saying that bilateral relations between the two countries appear strong.          "There are bright prospects in the relations in various fields, including transportation development, industry, and others," he said.           President Yudhoyono was accompanied by several cabinet ministers to the meeting, including Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, and Chief Political, Security and Legal Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto.          The two countries have not yet fully developed their trade relations, as two-way trade still accounts for about US$3.3 billion. Yet, the two countries have set themselves a target of increasing their trade to about US$5 billion in the coming three years.          The total value of Indonesia-Russia trade in 2012 was recorded at US$3.37 billion, with a deficit of US$1.64 billion on the part of Indonesia.          In the January-February 2013 period, Indonesia still posted a deficit of US$451.91 million of their total trade, amounting to US$741.51 million, according to Bisness.com online media.         Indonesia has maintained a deficit in its trade with Russia because Indonesia has large imports of capital goods from Russia, such as machinery, petrochemicals, heavy equipment and military systems.          For example, the Indonesian Air Force has a full squadron of Russian Shukoi jet fighters stationed at the Hasanuddin airbase in Makassar, South Sulawesi.          The squadron was completed after six new Shukoi SU- 30MK2 jets arrived to join the 10 planes already stationed there.          "The war planes were stationed at Air Squadron 11 at the Hasanuddin airbase in Makassar," Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said during a ceremony marking the official transfer of the aircraft from JSC Rosoboronexport, representing the Russian government, to the defense ministry last week.          Purnomo said the forming of the squadron is part of the program to develop the country's air defense, as part of the strategic plan of 2010-2014.          All of the SU-30 MK 2 and SU-27 SKM Sukhoi jet fighters were ordered by the Indonesian government under a contract signed in July 2007.          They arrived in phases, arriving at Iswahyudi airbase of Madiun in 2003, and at Sultan Hasanuddin airbase in 2009, 2010 and 2013.          Deliveries of the six aircraft, bought at a price of US$470 million, were nine months earlier than scheduled in the contract signed on June 28, 2014.          The six jets were delivered with spare parts in four phases, with the first arriving in February 2013 and the last on Sept 4, 2013.          The war planes are equipped with bombs and guided missiles, said air force chief of staff Air Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia.          Last May, Chief Economic Minister Hatta Raja visited Russia in an effort to offer cooperation in military industries. The minister said Russian military industries could seek joint investment with Indonesian aircraft maker PT DI and arms industry PT Pindad.          By turning Indonesia into an industrial production base, imports from Russia could be reduced, thus the trade between the countries could move towards being balanced.          In the meantime, speaking of international politics, Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Djauhari Oratmangun said, "Russia has never supported other parties that are hostile to Indonesia."         Russia's continuing support for Indonesia has been inseparable from the cultural diplomacy launched by the founders of the Republic of Indonesia in the 1950s, he said.          "It turns out that cultural diplomacy has had a longstanding effect. It serves as one of the positive ways to forge close ties between the two nations," he said.          On the Syrian issue, President Putin praised Indonesia's opposing military intervention in the country.  President Putin made the statement during a press conference with Russian media in St Petersburg following the G20 Summit on September 6.          Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said, on the sidelines of the APEC summit on Monday, that Putin repeated his appreciation of Indonesia's view seeking solutions to the violence in Syria.          Marty further said that Indonesia and Russia held common views in seeking solutions to the conflict in Syria. "President Putin extended his appreciation of the Indonesian views over the Syrian crisis," said Marty.***1*** (T.A014/INE/S012) (EDITED BY INE) (T.A014/A/BESSR/Suharto) 08-10-2013 20: