President Yudhoyono to receive Premier Rudd on Friday

During his three-day visit, Rudd who will arrive here on Thursday will also visit Indonesia`s western-most province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam on Saturday, Dino Patti Djalal said in a press statement issued on Tuesday.

This will be Rudd`s first state visit to Indonesia since he assumed office in November 2007. Rudd traveled to the Indonesian island resort of Bali in December last year to attend the United Nations Framework of Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC).

"Prime Minister Kevin Rudd`s visit to Indonesia is of strategic significance to preserve the momentum of enhanced relations we have built so far," Dino said.

Australia is a very important country for Indonesia, he said.

"President Yudhoyono is looking forward to building constructive work relations and close personal relations with Prime Minister Rudd. Under the current unstable international circumstances, both Indonesia and Australia have many things to do."

In a speech to the Asia Society in Sydney on June 4, 2008, Rudd outlined his government`s vision for an Asia Pacific Community, especially in relation with Indonesia, the Australian Embassy said in a press statement last Friday.

It said Rudd also ...