Aceh autonomy promising: EU

Aceh autonomy promising: EU

JAKARTA: Following a two-day visit to Aceh province, delegates
of the European Union said on Thursday that the special autonomy
law for Aceh offered a great opportunity for development in the
troubled province.

"The European Union firmly believes that the enacted Special
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Autonomy Law offers great opportunities,
and that it should be faithfully and swiftly implemented," the
Belgian Embassy said in a statement here.

The statement was issued after representatives of the European
Union and the European Commission visited the provincial capital
of Banda Aceh on Oct. 1 and 2.

The statement also said that the Union and its member states
were prepared to help Aceh in the development field with an
integrated rehabilitation effort to assist in the implementation
of the autonomy law.

It also said that they would offer support to strengthen civil
society and to pursue conflict prevention through peaceful
dialogue. -- JP