By NNN-ANTARA,
Canberra : The Australian government will contribute A$6 million (Rp43.2 billion) to 2009 general election fund as part of the country`s support to democracy in Indonesia, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here on Wednesday.
Smith made the statement at a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda after leading their respective delegation in the 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum (AIMF).
According to Smith, the financial contribution to Indonesia would be channeled through Australian General Election Commission.
The Australian foreign minister admitted that presidential and parliamentarian elections in Indonesia were more difficult than that in Australia.
Smith also mentioned his country`s support to Democratic Forum which is to be held in the Indonesian holiday resort of Bali on Dec 9-10 and confirmed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd`s plan to attend the forum.
Hassan Wirayuda said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would highly appreciate Rudd`s presence in the Democratic Forum, as well as the two countries joint effort to promote democracy, human rights, and clean governance in the region.
Wirayuda said the democratic forum was of great importance in promoting the agenda and discourse of democracy in the region.
The 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum on Nov 11-12 was held at Australian Parliament building to discuss among others key bilateral political and strategic, economic and trade and development assistance issues.
Australian delegation in the forum was made up of Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Minister for Trade Simon Crean, Immigration and Citizenship Minister Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett, Attorney General Robert McClelland, and Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus.
The Indonesian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, consisted of Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi, Environment Minister Rachmad Witoelar, and Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalalata.