VIVAnews - Currently Indonesian airlines are not allowed to fly over European Union (EU) airspace. But this may not be the case anymore in a few months.
"The European Union is optimistic that the flight ban can be lifted," said presidential spokesperson Dino Patti Djalal on Friday, Jan 16. "The ban may be removed by either March or June. We'll see," he said.
The statement was a result of a meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and European Union representative Julian Wilson in the Presidential Palace.
However, said Djalal, the annulment will depend on discussions and technical consultations between the two parties.
Djalal claimed that the meeting also discussed about a constructive partnership between the two parties to lift flight ban. According to Djalal, both leaders emphasized that the ban was not a political issue. "The flight ban is more a technical issue rather than political. Therefore, it must be solved technically," he said.
President Yudhoyono, Djalal went on to say, welcomed the plan.
"The issue has long disturbed Indonesian flights and the country's efforts in promoting tourism. Therefore, he wants the problem cleared up as soon as possible," he said.
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono
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