Indonesia's foreign minister coming to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Indonesia’s new Foreign Minister, Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa, will arrive in Manila tomorrow for a three-day official visit.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Natalegawa’s visit – his first to Manila – is upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo. He was named Indonesia’s chief diplomat last October.

Natalegawa’s visit comes at a time when the Philippines and Indonesia are commemorating the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year.

Natalegawa will pay a courtesy call on President Arroyo, and meet with Romulo.

The Philippines enjoys strong and friendly relations with Indonesia, cultivated through frequent exchanges of visits by high-level officials. Bilateral meetings between the two countries are also held on the sidelines of annual meetings such as the ASEAN Summit, the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations General Assembly, among others.

Indonesia has been very supportive of the Mindanao peace process as well as the Philippines’ bid for observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Natalegawa is a career diplomat with more than 20 years’ experience in diplomacy and international relations. He served as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York before being appointed Foreign Minister.       – Pia Lee-Brago