REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia continued its palm oil diplomacy following the visit of its Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan to the European Union. A press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Brussels on Thursday revealed that Pandjaitan met with EU commissioner for Environment, Maritime and Fisheries Karmenu Vella, Belgian Minister of International Trade Affairs Pieters de Crem and members from International Trade Committee (INTA) of the European Parliament, Tuesday, in Brussels.

The palm oil industry has come under fire in Europe over its impact on forests. The European Union earlier this year backed a ban on the use of palm oil in biofuels.

European lawmakers approved draft measures to reform the power market there and reduce energy consumption to meet more ambitious climate goals. The plan includes a ban on the use of palm oil in motor fuels from 2021.

Pandjaitan conveyed to Vella the value of the partnership between Indonesia and EU to address environmental issues, including deforestation.

He explained the management of palm oil in Indonesia was being conducted sustainably, and the technology and standardization are constantly being improved to ensure sustainability.

The two officials also discussed the preparation for 'Our Ocean Conference' in Bali in October 2018, in which Vella appreciated the ongoing preparations made by the Indonesian government.

Meanwhile, Indonesia affirmed the significance of palm oil for more than 16 million people dependent on this sector while meeting with the Belgian Minister of International Trade. Pandjaitan confirmed that palm oil was a key instrument for poverty alleviation and improving the welfare of the people.

Also read: Indonesia able to supply 8 million tons palm oil to Europe

Minister de Crem said Indonesia was an important country in Asia and hoped that economic cooperation between Indonesia and Belgium would continue to grow. It is hoped a solution that benefits all parties in the palm issue would be achieved.

The minister's delegation also held a meeting at the European Parliament to meet some members of the INTA. Pandjaitan invited the European Parliament to visit and witness on the ground the conditions of palm oil management in Indonesia.

"Seeing is believing; before the EU decides anything related to palm oil, you should come to Indonesia to see the efforts we have made," remarked Pandjaitan.

Earlier on Monday, Pandjaitan met with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and held discussions with palm oil stakeholders in Brussels, including members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials, EU Ambassadors and oil exporters, as well as the business community and associations.

Pandjaitan, who is also the President's special envoy for palm oil, continued his trip to several other countries, namely the Vatican, the Netherlands and Germany

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