Yudhoyono opens Bali democracy forum

The Jakarta Post ,Jakarta, 12/10/2008 11:17 AM | National

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially opened a forum on Asian democracy, dubbed the "Bali Democracy Forum", at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday.

"This forum is a platform for dialogue and discussion on developments in democracy. Many Asian countries have adopted democracy, adapting it with Eastern values," Yudhoyono said in
his opening speech, as quoted by Antara news agency.

The forum, organized by the Foreign Ministry, was attended by representatives of ASEAN member states and other Asian countries including China and Japan, as well as representatives and observers from non-Asian countries including Italy, Austria, Sweden and Canada, Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said earlier.

Under the theme, Building and Consolidating Democracy A Strategic Agenda for Asia, the ministry hopes the forum will provide a platform for its official participants to share experiences in the development of democracy in their respective countries of origin. (dre)