Prime Minister’s visit: taking it to the next level

Prime Minister John Key meets with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Freedom Palace

When New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta on 17 April 2012 during the Prime Minister's official visit to Indonesia, President Yudhoyono talked about “taking the relationship [between our two countries] to the next level”.

Both leaders recognised that while there was much to be positive about, we were each underperforming in terms of metrics like trade and people exchanges, and could do better. At the end of his visit the Prime Minister spoke of Indonesia, along with China and India, being critical for New Zealand’s future.

The visit also saw the conclusion of a new country strategic framework for development - a formal framework to guide our aid activities over the coming five years (during which time we expect to spend around NZ$100 million on development projects agreed between our two countries as priorities for Indonesia, and on scholarships).

For the complete article, please visit Ambassador Taylor's Blog.