Brussels, 19/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - During the meeting between several European Ministers with the Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, last week in Luxembourg, the European Union and Indonesia adopted a joint statement establishing a continuous political dialogue. This dialogue will cover issues of regional security and common interests through: 1) ministerial meetings between the European Troika and Indonesia, 2) meeting at high-level civil servant or expert level, 3) informal consultations on the sidelines of the meetings and international conferences.
In line with the conclusions adopted by the Council in March, the EU clearly asserted its support to the economic and political efforts of the government of Abdurrahman Wahid. In a joint statement, the Ministers "welcome the historic changes that took place in Indonesia and in the European Union. The EU underlined its support for a strong, democratic, united and prosperous Indonesia as well as in favour on territorial integrity of the Indonesian Republic. Furthermore, the EU expressed its support for the Indonesian government for progress towards economic recovery, consolidate democracy in the country, ensure respect for human rights, reform of its military and legal system, improve the rule of law and good administration, restore vitality into the economy and solve internal conflicts through dialogue rather than arms. Indonesia and the European Union agreed to intensify and develop their co-operation to improve regional security, including through an ASEAN regional forum, and strengthen links between Asia and Europe, including through EU/ASEAN relations and within ASEAN. They underlined the importance, with regard to this, of the ASEAN summit taking place in October 2000 and the EU/ASEAN ministerial meeting."
An upcoming visit of the external relations Commissioner, Chris Patten, in Indonesia should allow to specify the co-operation priorities that the EU wants to develop with the regional power that is Indonesia.