Indonesia Asks for Lithuania's Support over Palm Oil Export Ban  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo alias Jokowi and his Lithuanian counterpart Dalia Grybauskaite today discussed the export ban on crude palm oil.

“Indonesia has expressed its concerns over sustained black campaigns and discrimination against Indonesian palm oil products in Europe,” Jokowi said today in a press statement on President Dalia Grybauskaite’s visit to Indonesia.

The European Parliament in April passed the report on palm oil and deforestation of rainforests which recommends a ban on palm oil import in a bid to protect rainforests.

Indonesia fears that Europe’s demands for palm oil could plunge due to the resolution.

Jokowi labeled that the resolution unfair and harmful for Indonesia. Therefore, he expects Lithuania to support Indonesia in seeking better treatment of the country’s palm oil products.

However, President Grybauskaite in a press statement said nothing about the palm oil issue. She only told the media that Lithuania is keen to cooperate with Indonesia.

The government also seeks support from Italia. Italian Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda said during his visit to Indonesia yesterday that Italia will assist the country to negotiate with Europe over palm oil issue.

Prior to the issuance of palm oil resolution, Indonesia had seen an uptick in palm oil export to Europe. Data from the Indonesian Palm Oil Business Association show that pail oil export had increased by 27 percent from 352,020 tons in February to 446,920 tons in March.

ISTMAN MP