Press encounter with Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri (unofficial transcript)

Ladies and gentlemen, let me say that I am extremely happy to be back here in Indonesia and I am grateful to the President for the warm welcome she has extended to me and my team.

I also had a chance to applaud the President's efforts in this difficult period of transition, and the competence with which she has managed the reform process and I think she deserves our congratulations.

I would also want to say that on the Middle East, we both agreed that there is no military solution, the only solution is a political settlement and we both look forward to a conference that will help in our search for a final settlement of this long drawn out problem. We have both offered our sympathy to those who lost their beloved ones in this tragedy.

We also talked about the PrepCom for sustainable development, which is going to take place in Bali, and that conference is going to be an important one on issues of development around the world. That conference will focus on water, sanitation, agriculture production, education, health and the protection of biodiversity. Obviously, it is not going to be a conference for and by governments alone. The private sector and civil society will be very strong part of the process.

I also had the chance to applaud the President's efforts to strengthen relations with neighbors in the region, not only with ASEAN but also with the Pacific countries, East Timor and Australia. I think this is a very effective way to move forward.

Finally, let me thank the President for her conciliatory, wise and courageous decision to go to East Timor tomorrow. I think it is a firm indication that we have decided to put the past behind us and look to the future and develop good neighbourly relations with all the neighbouring countries. It is something that I am very pleased about, and I think the whole world has taken note. Thank you very much.*****