Australia claims Islam and democracy in harmony

Nusa Dua, NU Online
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said Indonesia shows the world that Islam and democracy walks in harmony, here Thursday, in his remark opening the Bali Democracy Forum.

The former Australian Prime Minister also said that future democracy project was controlled in Asia and so that Australia supported the BDF event in order to become a future influential forum for Asia.<<>br />
"The global future of democracy project will depend on this continent, therefore Australia embraces the vision of Bali Democracy Forum to become fundamental for the future," he said.

In his remark opening the BDF event, Rudd said Indonesia was the largest Muslims country in the world and the third largest country which had proven that democracy and Islam were things could be reunited.

Therefore, he added, Indonesia had a lot of things to be shared to the world and Australia supported the democracy development and also the women empowerment in Indonesia.

As one of the supportive forms from Australia to Indonesia, Rudd said that his country would fund for 50 million US dollar for five years project of women empowerment and law education in human rights concern.

"Women empowerment is important to create peace and stability in the world, and I hope the program will expand the cooperation between Australia and Indonesia," he said. (ant/dar)