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EU still focused on Aceh
Leading up to the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami on Dec
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eading up to the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami on Dec. 26, the European Union is still contributing to the development of Aceh by continuing projects on environmental sustainability and development, as well as trying to attract European investors to the province.
EU Ambassador to Indonesia Olof Skoog said that while the EU did not have any specific programs to support Aceh's economic development, ongoing projects in the environmental sector would help the region's economy in the long term through the more sustainable use of Aceh's natural resources.
'The focus will be on the environmental sector because it's fundamental to the development of Aceh. Also, [to improve Aceh's economy], we can try and attract European businesses to invest in Aceh. We're in constant conversation with the governor of Aceh on how to attract more investors,' Skoog told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Two of the EU's ongoing interventions in the environmental sector include improving Indonesia's climate change response and raising concerns about the impact of Aceh's spatial planning on the EU's efforts to preserve the functionality and biodiversity of Aceh's forests.
The EU opened the 'Europe House' in Banda Aceh in 2005 as part of the European Commission's humanitarian aid department mission to ensure regular monitoring of post-tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts by the EU. It ended operations in 2012.
A delegation from the EU as well as 35 foreign ambassadors in Indonesia will attend the 10th anniversary ceremony of the tsunami in Banda Aceh on Dec. 26, joining representatives from 33 NGOs as well as government officials.
In response to the 2004 disaster, the European Commission provided ¤310 million (US$382 million) for post-tsunami relief efforts, reconstruction assistance and support for the peace process in Aceh.
