Alatas visits Holland

Alatas visits Holland

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and his Dutch counterpart Hans van Mierlo had a three-hour meeting in The Hague on Monday, at which they discussed a host of issues, including human rights and the coming Asian-European Meeting.

According to Alatas, his visit is part of an agreement, made during Queen Beatrix's trip to Indonesia last year, to the effect that both foreign ministers would increase consultations.

"There was nothing particular to discuss. We had a general exchange of views on bilateral, regional and inter-regional issues," Alatas said, as quoted by Antara.

Alatas said Mierlo welcomed Jakarta's intention to establish technical cooperation with the Human Rights Center in Geneva.

He explained that while the Netherlands does not support Indonesia on the question of East Timor, it has not sought to complicate matters or corner Indonesia on the issue.

Alatas further noted that both he and Mierlo did not expect too much from the coming meeting of Asian and European heads of state in Bangkok on March 1-2.

"The summit should be seen as the beginning of an important and continuing process," Alatas opined. (mds)