Nadi, Fiji (Antara Babel) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the sideline of his official visit to Fiji on Thursday hoped to hear on the foreign policy strategies of both presidential candidates, namely Prabowo Subianto and Joko Widodo.
"Next week, the presidential candidates' debate will take the theme of international relations. I hope the debate will showcase each candidate's vision of Indonesia's foreign policy in the future," said Yudhoyono.
The president noted that the presidential candidates must explain their vision of future cooperation with partner countries, the target of foreign policies, and the possible strategic partners for Indonesia.
"Priority of foreign policy must be clear," said Yudhoyono.
He called on the future Indonesian president to continue the current foreign policy, which was based on all-sides approach.
"We are part of ASEAN, which is one thing. We must strive to realize ASEAN's integration and ASEAN's Development Goal by 2030," said Yudhoyono.
The president also expressed hope that the future Indonesian president will set up more strategic cooperation agreements with partnering countries.
Indonesia will be holding a presidential election on July 9, with two presidential candidates--General (ret) Prabowo Subianto and current Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi.
Prabowo Subianto is a retired military general and the chairman of Gerindra (Great Indonesia Movement) Party, while his vice-presidential candidate Hatta Rajasa is a former coordinating minister for economic affairs and the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN).
Jokowi is Jakarta's governor and a cadre of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), and his running mate Jusuf Kalla (JK) is a former vice president and a senior politician of the Golkar Party.
The Jokowi-JK pair is supported by five political parties: the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), the Peoples Conscience Party (Hanura), the Justice and Indonesian Unity Party (PKPI), and the National Democrats Party (Nasdem) established by Surya Paloh, owner of Metro TV and the Media Indonesia newspaper.
The Prabowo-Hatta pair is supported by Gerindra, PAN, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP), the Moon and Star Party (PBB), and the Golkar Party, whose current chairman is Aburizal Bakrie, owner of TV One.
The ruling Democrat Party has taken a neutral stance in the election, although some of its top cadres have taken sides.
