MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will discuss defense, border, maritime cooperation and other issues of mutual concern when they meet on Friday, May 23.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a news briefing on Wednesday, May 21, that Yudhoyono’s first Philippine visit as Indonesia’s President – from May 22 to 23 – is upon the invitation of Aquino.

“President Yudhoyono will meet with President Aquino to discuss matters of mutual concern, including political, defense and border, maritime, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation,” Lacierda said.

Yudhoyono will also be in the country to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA) – the first hosted by the Philippines – on Thursday, where he will be conferred with the Global Statesmanship Award.

He will also witness the official turnover to Indonesia of the hosting of the 24th WEF-EA in 2015.

On Friday, Yudhoyono will meet with Aquino to discuss a range of issues affecting their countries. 

Asked if the two leaders would discuss the need for a binding Declaration on the Code of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) when they meet on Friday, Lacierda said the matter was already tackled at the recent ASEAN Summit in Myanmar.

He said that the DOC is still the subject of ongoing discussions.

“We hope that China would sit down with ASEAN and discuss the Declaration of the Code of Conduct,” Lacierda said.

Yudhoyono will be conferred with the Order of Sikatuna with rank of Raja during the state dinner to be hosted by Aquino in his honor on Friday.

The Indonesian leader’s Philippine visit coincides with the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.

Indonesia was the 13th major trading partner of the Philippines in 2013, with a total trade of $3.512 billion. It also hosts a 9,844-strong Filipino community. – Rappler.com