The visit follows a meeting between Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Tjeerd F. De Zwaan and National Development Planning Minister Armida S. Alisjahbana who is also head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) on June 8, 2011.
At the meeting, Tjeerd de Zwaan informed Armida of Knapen`s plan to visit Indonesia early next month, the National Development Planning Ministry said in its website on Tuesday.
Knapen was installed as the Dutch minister for European affairs and international cooperation in October 2010 shortly before the Dutch Cabinet led by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte began to work.
Armida on behalf of the Indonesian government expressed gratitude to the Dutch government for its close cooperation with Indonesia particularly in the development field.
She said the Dutch assistance to Indonesia had so far been channeled within the framework of financing bilateral and multilateral institutes.
Zwaan said the Dutch government was tightening budget spending leading to a decline in the amount of development funds to developing countries.
Yet Indonesia would remain high on the list of the Dutch government`s priorities in channeling development funds. The Dutch assistance would focus on the development of legal affairs, higher education, water management particularly flood control, and food security, he said.
Armida said the Dutch assistance accorded with Indonesia`s development needs.
(Uu.S012/HAJMA014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
