Yudhoyono officially opens Bali Democracy Forum

Nusa Dua (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially opened the Bali Democracy Forum here on Wednesday.

The Bali Democracy Forum being organized by the Indonesian foreign ministry, is being attended by representatives from 31 countries, including three heads of states, namely Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Brunei Darussalam`s Sultan Hasanah Bolkiah, and Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Spokesman of the foreign affairs ministry Teuku Faizasyah said that the dialog forum was aimed at boosting democracy in Asian countries.

All members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) including Myanmar, are participating in the Forum.

Other Asian countries such as China, Japan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Maldives, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, PNG, Qatar, and India are also attending the forum.

Non-Asian countries such as Italy, England, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Tunisia, the United States and Canada are also invited to the forum as observers.

Presidential Spokesman Dino pati Djalal recently said that the Bali Democracy Forum was Indonesia`s initiative aimed at promoting democracy in the region as well as international.

The forum would be held annually and followed by monthly technical meetings at a working group level, he said.

The Bali Democracy Forum would also be followed up by an establishment of an Institute for Peace and Democracy to be based at Udayana University in Denpasar, Bali, he said. (*)


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