Putin in Indonesia to strengthen economic ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Jakarta on Thursday with a large delegation of energy, banking and weapons officials for a one-day visit to boost trade and economic ties.
Putin was greeted by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda and top ranking military and government figures.
In his first visit to the world`s most populous Muslim nation, Putin will see energy and mining agreements signed, as well as a one-billion dollar credit line for Jakarta to buy Russian military hardware, officials said.
He will meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as delegations from the two countries meet for bilateral talks.
"The president (Yudhoyono) will talk about bilateral matters, especially how to step up economic cooperation in trade and investment," Yudhoyono`s spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said.
He said that during Putin`s visit, which follows Yudhoyono`s visit to Moscow in December, the two leaders were also to discuss cooperation in the defence sector.
The Russian leader is slated to address the Indonesia-Russia business forum and attend a banquet before flying to Sydney for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
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