AlHijjah 15, 1433, Oct 31, 2012, SPA -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was given a ceremonial welcome Wednesday at the start of a three-day state visit to Britain, where he will be the guest of Queen Elizabeth II, according to dpa. After a full military welcome, Yudhoyono and his wife, Ani, joined the queen and Prince Philip in a state carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, where the guests will stay during their visit. It is the first state visit hosted by the queen since the celebrations to mark her 60-year-reign in June. The queen and Prince Philip paid a state visit to Indonesia under former president Suharto in 1974, who made a return visit in 1979. Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Home Secretary Theresa May were also present at the arrival ceremony. During his stay, the Indonesian president is scheduled to have political talks with Cameron, and also meet the leaders of Liberal Democrats and the opposition Labour Party. Ahead of the visit, Hague said Britain was determined to forge a strong partnership with Indonesia and other countries of South-East Asia. "As well having one of the world's most thriving economies, Indonesia is in the vanguard of the political change shaping Asia. This visit will be an opportunity for us to build on the strong partnership established over the last decade," said Hague. He praised Indonesia's "path from dictatorship to democracy alongside growing prosperity," which had become an "important example to the world." Hague is set to visit Laos and Thailand next week, where he will represent Britain at the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Bangkok on November 5-6.
