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Ambassador Andri Hadi hands over Letters of Credentials to the King of Belgium, Philippe 

Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium Andri Hadi handed over letters of credentials to King of Belgium, Philippe in Brussels on Wednesday (13/1) by following the health protocols to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. While meeting the King, Ambassador Andri conveyed the respectful greetings of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to King Philippe, who had met during the visit of the Indonesian President to Belgium in 2016. The meeting at that time was impressed for President Joko Widodo. Therefore, he invited King Philippe to visit Indonesia, if the Covid-19 pandemic condition has been better.

In a statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Brussels on Thursday (14/1), Ambassador Andri stated that as a country with a population of around 270 million, Indonesia faces several challenges in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with the vaccine, it is expected that Indonesia will be able to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. To King Philippe, Ambassador Andri also informed that Indonesia has started a Covid-19 vaccination program, with the first injection given to President Joko Widodo on Wednesday (13/1).

King Philippe expressed his condolences and sympathy of the government and the people of Belgium for the Sriwijaya airplane accident that occurred last week. In a response to the statement, Ambassador Andri explained that the plane's black box had been found for further investigation to find out the cause of the accident. Moreover, Ambassador Andri also conveyed several bilateral issues, such as cooperation in countering terrorism and palm oil. 

To King Philippe, Ambassador Andri explained that Indonesian palm oil is a sustainable palm oil product which is strictly regulated and has both national (ISPO) and international (RSPO) certification. King Philippe and Ambassador Andri Hadi agreed for the need of an immediate settlement of Agreement negotiations namely Indonesia-European Union (I-EU CEPA) Comprehensive Economic Partnership in order to optimize the huge potential of both countries. 

During the 30-minute meeting, Ambassador Andri Hadi provided an interesting book on the history of Indonesia's independence struggle entitled "Revolusi" which was written by a historian who is also a leading archaeologist in Belgium, David Van Reybrouck. King Philippe appreciated for giving of the book. Moreover, Ambassador Andri Hadi arrived in Belgium on November 11, 2020. Besides serving as the Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium, Ambassador Andri is also entrusted to be Indonesian Ambassador to Luxembourg, the European Union and the World Customs Organization.