Brussels, 07/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - "My meeting on Monday in Brussels with Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid marks a new phase in our relations", declared European Commission President Romano Prodi, at the conclusion of Mr Wahid's visit. For now, said President Wahid, "our discussion is based on a search for mutual respect" and will be followed by technical contacts, notably during the visit by Commissioner for external relations Chris Patten to Jakarta before next summer. The Commission's communication on the future of EU/Indonesia relations, adopted last week (see EUROPE of 2 February, page 8), will be examined in greater detail on that occasion, but the Commission intends to "begin discussions immediately on technical and financial aspects", explained Romano Prodi.
In its communication, the Commission proposes refocusing cooperation on several areas: 1) sustainable development of forest exploitation; 2) poverty reduction (especially in West Timor and the Moluccas) and the setting into place of an effective social security system; 3) good governance; 4) maintenance of stability in Indonesia. At present, relations between the EU and Indonesia are governed by the agreement signed in 1980 between the Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean). Relations with Asean as a group have been at a standstill, however, since Burma's admission, and the "Commission is not ruling out a new bilateral agreement" with Indonesia, explained Commission sources.