REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, VLADIVOSTOK - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) made a speech on increasing food security to avoid price volatility at APEC Summit in Vladivostok, Russia. While Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted food security as one of the most acute problems of recent time.
SBY emphasized that interstate coordination on food was important, for example, the coordination between Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia on rice.
"With the coordination, regional economy will be strong. If we are all out, there will be building block," SBY said in Vladivostok, as reported by Nasihin Masha from Republika.
Indonesia raised three issues related to food. The first is food supply. APEC members must increase their food supply by increasing investment for agricultural infrastructure. Second is affordable and stable price, while the last is farmers' welfare. "We must appreciate their hard work as well and in doing so we provide profit they can enjoy,” SBY said.
President also urged APEC members to increase investment on agriculture, including its infrastructure and to cooperate on research and innovation. He also stressed that chain supply must be improved.
Acute problem
Russian President Vladimir Putin said, without ensuring food security, APEC members could not achieve their goal of enhancing the quality of life for people. "Food security is one of the most acute problems of our time," Putin said.
APEC members reached a consensus on 54 environmental friendly products eligible for five percent tariff cuts in 2015. There had been disagreements on what should be in the list. Indonesia said palm oil was also an environmental product, while China struggled for its bamboo.
"We will fight using any possible diplomatic doors. For Indonesia, palm oil is environmental friendly product," SBY said. He expected palm oil to be considered as environmental friendly product before 2015.
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