REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will meet Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to discuss international issues on November 4, 2013.
"The first visit of Catherine to Indonesia reflects that she and the EU consider Indonesia to be a very important country. The EU also recognizes Indonesia as an important global player in the international agenda and in the South East Asia region," said European Union (EU) Ambassador for Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN, Olof Skoog here on Thursday.
He noted that Ashton will bring several international issues to be discussed with Marty, such as the Iranian nuclear program, solutions to the Syrian conflict, as well as Middle East and Palestine peace negotiation efforts.
According to Olof, Ashton has been entrusted by the United Nations (UN) Security Council to be the negotiator for Iran's nuclear program and will discuss issues about the Iranian program with Marty.
"Relating to the Syria issue, I think the EU and Indonesia have the same base point of view, that there needs to be political, not military solutions, to the situation in the country," Skoog said.
Skoog added that Ashton will talk about Indonesian and EU policies on democracy in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Egypt.
"There will also be a discussion on the Mideast peace process, as we have a similar starting point since the EU has been supporting peace in Palestine for a very long time," Skoog said.
Regarding regional issues in South East Asia, Skoog said the EU Representative will discuss Myanmar and the ASEAN agenda.
He said EU policy supports democracy being established in Myanmar and the development of political and economic sectors should be supported by other countries in the region.
"We believe Indonesia has an important role in ASEAN, as the organization is the vehicle for integration and growing prosperity in the region," Skoog said.
Skoog also said that Ashton will hold extensive talks with Marty on the bilateral relationship between the EU and Indonesia, including cooperation agreements which will be ratified to deepen their partnership in the trade and economic sectors.
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