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