RI, MADAGASCAR AGREE TO PROMOTE TIES TO AMBASSADORIAL LEVEL

Jakarta, Nov 5 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Madagascar agreed Wednesday to promote their diplomatic ties to the level of ambassador as early as next year.
The two countries would open representative offices in each other's capitals next year at the latest, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in a joint press conference with his Madasgascan counterpart, Marc Ravalomanana, at the state palace here.
"What makes me happy and grateful to the Madagascan President is that we have agreed to promote our respective representations to the level of ambassador," President Yudhoyono said.
By promoting the diplomatic ties to the level of ambassador, the two nations could expand their cooperation more effectively, he said.
Currently, Madagascar's interests in Indonesia are represented by its embassy in Japan, while Indonesia posts its charge d'affaires in Madagascar.
Yudhoyono said Indonesia would send an economic delegation to Madagascar in the next few months to explore the possibility of cooperation with the island state.
Indonesia intended to cooperate with Madagascar in the fields of energy, agriculture, education, culture and trade, he said.
Two-way trade between Indonesia and Madagascar currently reaches US$30 million per annum. Indonesia's exports to Madagascar mainly consist of consumer goods such as soap and cosmetics.
President Ravalomanana, at the head of 52-strong delegation arrived at the city's Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base late Tuesday for a four-day visit.
In 2005, he also visited Jakarta for an Asia-Africa conference.
Earlier in the day, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and his Madagascan counterpart, Marcel Ranjeva, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on establishing joint commission for bilateral relations in the presence of the two heads of state.
President Ravalomanana's entourage also includes Minister of economy, Trade and Industry Ivohasina Razafimahefa, Minister of Mines and Energy Elyse Razaka, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Panja Ramanoelina, and Armed Forces Chief Gal Lucien Andre Rakotoarimasy.
While in Indonesia, the Madagascan leader will also visit East Kalimantan and Bali on Thursday.