AntaraJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR)'s Commission IV Chairman Edhy Prabowo urged the government to immediately end the oil palm export dispute with the European Union by continuing to actively conduct diplomacy in every country in the region.
"The role of the state, our foreign policy, our trade politics abroad must be proactive talk," Edhy Prabowo said in a release received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Edhy said that many other countries had used Indonesia as their market, but as if Indonesia had no advantage.
The Gerindra politician expressed hope that the country would be present in the form of political lobbying or diplomacy efforts to show the sovereignty of the Indonesian state in the field of world trade economics.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia affirmed that the EU policy that prohibits palm oil products is a discriminatory policy and is a form of covert protection of commodities that is very important for Indonesia.
"There is no doubt (European Union palm oil policy) this discrimination, with a background of protectionism is then wrapped in various scientific materials," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution at the Briefing of the EU Discrimination against Palm Oil held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Wednesday.
According to him, palm oil products are a very important product for Indonesia, especially in order to alleviate poverty and create jobs for millions of Indonesians.
The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs explained that at present, the oil palm industry has employed as many as 7.5 million people directly and added 12 million indirectly.
Not to mention, he continued, coupled with "smallholders" totaling 2.6 million people, employing as many as 4.3 million people
"Clearly oil palm has a very important role in alleviating poverty," said the Minister.
Nasution also stated that President Joko Widodo had also expressed his concerns some time ago.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said that the EU oil palm policy was a very serious problem for Indonesia.
"We are a large country that has sovereignty that cannot be disturbed by anyone," said the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs.
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister AM Fachir said that the steps taken by the European Union were discriminatory and could influence the discussion of the comprehensive partnership between the two parties.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
