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resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has asked the president of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Milan Stech, to support Indonesia in fighting the European Union’s plan to restrict exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives.

Jokowi received Stech and the delegation from the Czech Republic at the Merdeka Palace on Monday, during which they discussed cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies as well the strengthening of ties.

“[The President] asked for support for Indonesia’s palm oil products [...] because it affects the lives of 17 million Indonesian farmers who are involved in the production of palm oil,” said Deputy Foreign Minister AM Fachir after the meeting.

He said Jokowi had also asked Stech to support the immediate conclusion of the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Jokowi also supported widened cooperation between the two countries’ parliamentarians, especially in strengthening pluralism, tolerance as well as boosting economic cooperation.

A number of businesspeople were also part of the Senate visit and Jokowi said Indonesia was committed to seek ways in strengthening economic cooperation with the Czech Republic, Fachir said.

Stech also offered cooperation in the energy and automotive sectors, to which Jokowi expressed an interest since such a collaboration was in line with efforts to go ahead with the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0, Fachir said.