EU, Indonesia Discuss Cooperation on Environment and Marine Economy

Jakarta, InfoPublik-  European Union (EU) Commissioner for  Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella visited Indonesia to strengthen  cooperation on environment, climate change and sustainable marine economy.

Karmenu Vella arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday (21/2), accompanied by a delegation of European officials. This visit is aimed to strengthen EU-Indonesia and EU-ASEAN dialogue and cooperation on environment, climate change, and governance of a sustainable marine economy.

This is the first high-level mission in these sectors since 2004 and aims to increase momentum of rapid implementation of Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals, and other multilateral agreements on environment which are supported by Indonesia, the EU and other ASEAN countries.  

During the visit, EU Commissioner Vella with Environment and Forestry Minister  Siti Nurbaya will open the first session of the bilateral working group on environment and climate change, as stipulated in the framework of EU-Indonesia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

According to Vella, Both European Union and Indonesia, understand that the success of sustainable marine economy or 'blue resources’ will depend on our effort to manage maritime sector properly. "We are also working together to ensure the sustainability of resources in land or 'green resources’. I hope in the future we can deepen the ties between the 'blue' and 'green'," she said in a written statement received by InfoPublik in Jakarta, Tuesday (21/2).

During this visit, the Commissioner will hold a series of meetings, among others with Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya and Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.

On this occasion, Vella will meet Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Economic Community, Lim Hong Hin and  Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee. In addition, he and his delegation will hold discussions with diplomatic missions of EU member states in Jakarta, local enterprises, and civil society organizations. (Translator: Sugiarti)