RI, RUSSIA TO BOOST ECONOMIC, MILITARY COOPERATION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Feb 24 (Antara) - After more than 63 years of bilateral relations, trade between Indonesia and Russia has yet to significantly increase as reflected in the 2013 value of trade between the two nations of only US$3.67 billion.          Indonesia and Russia are committed to boosting their bilateral trade. Their target is to achieve a bilateral trade volume of US$5 billion this year.          Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa had told reporters in October 2011 that the government is optimistic about boosting the two nations' trade volume to US$5 billion by 2014.          "We have committed to improving the trade volume with Russia to US$5 billion by 2014. To achieve that, the working group must work hard," Hatta Rajasa had said at that time.          As the trade value between the two countries stood at US$3.37 billion in 2012 and rose to only US$3.67 billion in 2013, it appears that they still have to work hard to achieve the target of US$5 billion this year.

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.