This is the second meeting, they had previously invited us and now we have invited them. The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. They are also very appreciative, and we appreciate their presence
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, received 20 ambassadors from European Union (EU) member countries at a working lunch held in the ministry's offices in Jakarta, Tuesday. "This is the second meeting, they had previously invited us and now we have invited them. The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. They are also very appreciative, and we appreciate their presence," Laoly said at a press conference following the meeting.

There were several topics covered in the discussions, about the strengthening of relations between the governments of Indonesia and the EU countries, including legislation priorities for 2020 and the completion of Indonesia's omnibus law aimed at improving investment climate and ease of doing business, he said.

There were also discussions on the Law on the Anti-Graft Body (UU KPK), development of human rights issues, intellectual properties, mutual legal assistance and extradition, as well as the progress of Schengen visa-free scheme.

"There were several issues that have become a cause for concern," he said.

Besides, the Indonesian government has opened broad access to the public to obtain justice through legal aid institutions that are funded by the state, Yasonna said.

The Indonesian government continues to improve its human resources, specifically for the employees of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights through the Corporate University program, he also explained.

Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Vincent Piket, highlighted various issues that were deemed interesting in the discussions, one of them being the omnibus law.

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"We covered many topics ranging from the business environments and the promotion of a positive investment climate through the imminent omnibus act. We look forward to those acts," he said.

The European Union also saw Indonesia as an important partner in the efforts to maintain regional peace, including in the Middle East and Asia, as well as in terrorism countermeasures and cross-border crimes.

"We did share some areas where we see pressures and tensions that are not unique for Indonesia. We have them in Europe as well, and that is why we have had this dialogue with the minister," Piket added.

The meeting was then followed by the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the governments of Indonesia and the European Union.

Such meetings will be now included in the routine annual agenda, Minister Laoly further said.

"We will turn this into an annual agenda that is held regularly, to strengthen the relations between Indonesia and European Union member countries," he said. (INE)

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Translator: Fathur Rochman/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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