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EU reps. attend Aceh tsunami commemoration
Fourteen ambassadors to Indonesia from European Union member states attended the ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Aceh earthquake and tsunami on Friday
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ourteen ambassadors to Indonesia from European Union member states attended the ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Aceh earthquake and tsunami on Friday.
The ceremony was held in Banda Aceh's Blangpadang field and was also attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla. President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo reportedly cancelled his appearance at the ceremony.
Aside from the EU member states, deputy EU ambassador to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN, Colin Brooks, represented the EU at the ceremony.
EU embassy communications staff Stelita Ladia Marsha said, as quoted by Antara news agency, that Brooks would also visit several sites to observe the results of redevelopment efforts.
In response to the 2004 disaster, the European Commission provided 310 million euros (US$382 million) for post-tsunami relief efforts, reconstruction assistance and support for the peace process in Aceh.
To facilitate oversight of the aid funds, the EU opened 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. It ended operations in 2012.
EU ambassadors who attended the ceremony included those from Germany, Slovakia, Belgium, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Ireland. Representatives from other nations, such as Turkey and Norway, were also present. (dyl/nvn)(+++)
