Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The British government through its Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond congratulated the Indonesian President-elect Joko Widodo after gaining the highest number of votes in the 2014 presidential election.

"I warmly congratulate Joko Widodo on his presidential election victory as announced by the Indonesian National Electoral Commission yesterday," stated Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

Secretary Hammond also congratulated the Indonesian people for holding another successful democratic exercise.

"Indonesia is important to the UK. It is the worlds third-largest democracy and a close G20 partner," emphasized Hammond.

Indonesia and Britain are democratic, diverse, island-trading nations that share many similar values, which are strongly reflected in their growing relationship.

Hammond noted that the two countries have worked together to promote trade, security, combat climate change, and in many other areas, which is expected to continue.

"I look forward to working with Joko Widodo and his future government to continue to make progress in those important areas and in building an ever closer and stronger relationship," Secretary Hammond reiterated.

The General Elections Commission in Jakarta announced the running presidential candidate pair, Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla, as the elected president and vice president for the 2014-2019 term.

According to the commission, the winning presidential and vice presidential candidates in the 2014 election are Joko Widodo and Muhammad Jusuf Kalla who received 70,997,833 votes or 53.15 percent of the total valid votes.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was the first to congratulate the newly elected president and vice president, Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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