President`s participation in G-20 Summit is honor, responsibility

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s participation in the upcoming G-20 Summit is an honor and at the same time a responsibility to the international world, according to a presidential spokesman.

"One thing I want to emphasize now is that although the general election campaign period is also a busy time for the president, he has decided to attend the G-20 Summit because it`s not only an honor for Indonesia, but also a big responsibility," Dino Patti Djalal said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force base here on Monday, moments before leaving for London as a member of the presidential entourage.

Indonesia`s role in the G-20 was very unique as it would be for the first time for Indonesia to stand in the forefront of efforts to manage the world economy which were previously dominated by G-7 countries, he said.

"Now, it is the responsibility of the G-20, and Indonesia is now part of the new world economic power grouping. So, it is a big responsibility because we have been invited to participate in the world economic recovery efforts, and the global economic recovery will also affect our welfare," he said.

In London, President Yudhoyono will also have bilateral meetings with the Japanese prime minister, the British prime minister, the Australian prime minister, the UN Secretary General, and British Crown Prince Charles.

Yudhoyono and Prince Charles would talk about forest preservation efforts, he said. The head of state would also deliver a speech at the London School of Economic and Political Sciences, he added.

A bilateral meeting between Yudhoyono and US President Barack Obama was so far not scheduled on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, he said.

"The President will sit next to Obama during a dinner. That`s the format," Djalal said.

Among members of the presidential entourage are First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfre Aburizal Bakrie, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Environmental Affairs Minister Rachmat Witoelar, Legislator Theo Sambuaga, Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board M Lutfi, and Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) MS Hidayat.