REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia continued its palm oil diplomacy following the visit of its Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan to the European Union. A press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Brussels on Thursday revealed that Pandjaitan met with EU commissioner for Environment, Maritime and Fisheries Karmenu Vella, Belgian Minister of International Trade Affairs Pieters de Crem and members from International Trade Committee (INTA) of the European Parliament, Tuesday, in Brussels.

The palm oil industry has come under fire in Europe over its impact on forests. The European Union earlier this year backed a ban on the use of palm oil in biofuels.

European lawmakers approved draft measures to reform the power market there and reduce energy consumption to meet more ambitious climate goals. The plan includes a ban on the use of palm oil in motor fuels from 2021.

Pandjaitan conveyed to Vella the value of the partnership between Indonesia and EU to address environmental issues, including deforestation.