Palm Oil Negotiation with Europe, Italy Supports Indonesia

"We are ready to support Indonesia, of course in consideration of our position in the European Union," he said at the Vice President's Office on Monday (15/5/2017). As is known, the European Parliament passed a resolution summarized in the Report on Palm Oil and Deforestation of Rainforests in early April. The resolution recommends the gradual cessation of imports of palm oil because it is accused of triggering deforestation and other negative impacts on the environment, social affairs and human rights. Calenda understands that the issue of CPO trade is sensitive to Indonesia, which relies on exports of this commodity. "Also for the workers. So we must take this into consideration and we believe this subject should be resolved in the context of the free trade agreement [FTA]," he said. Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita said that the Italian government is ready to communicate Indonesia's position to the European Parliament with one of the considerations of facilitating the negotiation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union. "They will help to convey this [to the European Union], because it will disrupt the CEPA negotiation between Indonesia and Europe that is in process," he said. In the meeting, Vice President JK hoped that trade competition would not be continue to be exploited. The Vice President assured the Italian government that Indonesia's commitment to environmental sustainability is very strong. "The Vice President explained that we have a very strong commitment to the environment. There is ISPO (Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil). And the Italian Minister took note of that," he said. Despite the disruption by trade issues, Enggar claimed that the number of CPO exports to the European Union actually tends to increase month to month by around 15-20%. "Our exports to Europe and America have increased because they need it. The ones that declined were India and China because they have reserves for other types of oil, but I believe it will not be for long," he explained. Previously, Indonesia Palm Oil Producers Association (GAPKI) recorded that Indonesia's palm oil exports to Europe increased by 27% or from 352,020 tons in February 2017 to 446,920 thousand tons in March 2017. http://industri.bisnis.com/read/20170515/99/653638/negosiasi-sawit-dengan-eropa-italia-dukung-indonesia