Spanish state seeks closer trade with RI<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A delegation from the Spanish state of Basque is
\njumping on the bandwagon with other European states in seeking
\ncloser business ties with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Vice President Jon Imanol Azua Mendia, who made a three-day
\nvisit to Indonesia starting Wednesday, said he wanted to promote
\nhis country to various officials and business people and explore
\nwide areas of cooperation.<\/p>\n
He also used his visit here to conclude business arrangements
\nwith the Salim Group, a powerful conglomerate.<\/p>\n
\"I think everybody in Europe is interested in Asia and
\nIndonesia, not only because of its rapidly growing economy over
\nthe last few years, but also because of the new opportunities and
\nspecial areas of industry that they have to offer,\" Azua told
\nreporters. He added that the region's vast local markets and the
\nchance to widen them also provided enticements of their own.<\/p>\n
He did not see the long-time separatist group, ETA (Basque
\nHomeland and Freedom), as obstructing Basque's relations with
\nother countries. \"They have already lost the war, but they don't
\nknow how to finish it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The separatist movement, which he said uses terrorism as a
\nmeans of achieving their goals, was moving in a direction which
\nwas different from Basque's normal society, political parties and
\ninstitutions which were all against violence. \"Everybody tries to
\nremind them of this everyday... Now we are trying to help to
\nfinish that war and this horrible phase in history,\" he said. He
\nadded that a resolution to the conflict would only be a matter of
\ntime.<\/p>\n
Unknown land<\/p>\n
Azua admitted that Basque is, even to the Spaniards, a
\nsomewhat unknown country.<\/p>\n
Inhabited by about two million people, the state is located on
\nthe north of Spain, bordered by the Bay of Biscay and by the
\nPyrenees Mountains on the south.<\/p>\n
Over the centuries, however, it has proven to contribute much
\nto Spain's economy.<\/p>\n
\"If you talk about industry in Spain, it is necessary to talk
\nabout the Basque country,\" Azua pointed out.<\/p>\n
The country was a main source of heavy industry and a pioneer
\nin developing cooperatives. Basque produces 95 percent of Spanish
\nmachinery tools, 70 percent of its steel, 20 percent of its
\nelectronic devices and 30 percent of Spain's automobile
\ncomponents, he said.<\/p>\n
It is in these fields that Basque intends to join relations
\nwith Indonesia, he added.<\/p>\n
Azua, who will proceed on to China and Singapore from Jakarta,
\nacknowledged that cooperation in other fields, such as culture
\nand education, may be developed during a second visit to the
\ncountry next year. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/spanish-state-seeks-closer-trade-with-ri-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}