Leaders of Indonesia, Singapore meet in Batam

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong held tete-a-tete meeting in Batam on Sunday to discuss the establishment of special economic zones in Batam, Bintan and Karimum islands in Indonesia's province of Riau islands.

The meeting was also expected to discuss related issues, including the extradition treaty, defense cooperation and counter- terrorism cooperation, Antara news agency reported.

Lee arrived in Batam on Sunday morning on board a ship from the neighboring island state, while President Yudhoyono arrived at the same day on board a presidential aircraft.

The meeting was also expected to be followed with a complete meeting attended by several ministers and high-ranking officials of the two countries.

The two leaders would also witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the special economic zones in Batam, Bintan and Karimun islands which would be conducted by Coordinating Minister for Economy Boediono and his Singaporean counterpart Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Him Kian.

In addition, Yudhoyono and Lee were also scheduled to have a meeting with businessmen of the two countries.

Source: Xinhua