Putin, Widodo to skip APEC

MANILA, Philippines – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' meeting in Manila next week.

According to the Russian news agency RBC, Putin suddenly refused to participate in the APEC summit in the Philippines but will send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev instead.

The Russian news agency did not disclose the reason but said that Putin will still attend the G20 Summit in Turkey.

Meanwhile, during the press briefing at the International Media Center on Thursday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario confirmed Widodo’s absence from APEC.

“I just got a verbal message that there are things in Jakarta that need the attention of Pres. Widodo,” Del Rosario said, citing domestic concerns as reason for Widodo’s sudden non-attendance.

Widodo will be represented by Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong.

Putin and Widodo earlier confirmed attendance at the APEC Summit to be held in Manila on November 18 to 19 along with 18 other heads of APEC economies.