EU provides new markets for RI products

Theresia Sufa and Veeramalla Anjaiah, Bogor, West Java

Head of the European Community (EC) delegation to Indonesia Sabato Della Monica, said on Thursday Indonesia would benefit from the extension of the European Union (EU).

Monica said the presence of 10 new EU members would create wider market opportunities for Indonesian products.

"Europe and Indonesia already have a strong relationship, and it will be even stronger with the presence of the 10 new countries of EU," said Monica in her welcoming speech at the European Union's seminar for Indonesian journalists here.

She said that with total members of 26 countries and a total population of 455 million, the EU no doubt offered a golden chance for Indonesia to market its products.

This great opportunity, according to Monica, was supported by a 4 percent tariff reduced from the previous 9 percent for each Indonesian product entering a EU country.

At the seminar, other topics had been discussed, such as the historical background of the European Union, future political aims, domestic challenges and the external impact of the EU's enlargement, and how to do business with the EU.

The two-day seminar, which started on May 5, was attended by 25 participants from the print and electronic media.

Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia and EU President Ruud Treffers, Austrian Ambassador Bernhard Zimburg, Hungarian Ambassador Gyorgy Busztin, Director of Asian-European Public Affairs Albrecht Rothacher and member of the European Journalist Center's board of directors Vincent Partal also attended.