TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan met with the Italian Ambassador to Indonesia Benedetto Latteri in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 22, to deliberate on export prospects to Europe via the Italian ports of Genova and Trieste, Italy.

“These two ports serve as the gateway to Central and Eastern Europe,” said Zulhas, as the minister is known, in his official statement on Thursday, May 23.

He said that Indonesia's trade with Europe was still one-third of Vietnam's trade with Europe. It is hoped that the new export routes will bolster trade volumes with the European Union, particularly Italy.

He also underscored that Italy and Indonesia share the same goal of pushing for the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), which was anticipated to be ratified this year as expected by President Joko Widodo.

Ambassador Latteri, he added, said that the Italian government and the private sector offer technical solutions for Indonesia's top-tier export products, such as CPO (crude palm oil) and coffee, which have been impacted by the European Union's deforestation policy.

Latteri elaborated on an innovative certification scheme devised to ensure compliance with policy requirements. His party plans to invite the Indonesian Ministry of Trade to Italy to meet with the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the port authorities of Genova and Trieste.

The meeting also aims to promote the conclusion of the EU-CEPA negotiations, which have been under discussion for almost seven years, with at least 18 meetings held since the initial discussion on July 18, 2016.

DESTY LUTHFIANI

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