President Joko Widodo Arrives in Amsterdam

President Joko Widodo shakes hands with Indonesians welcoming him upon his arrival in the Netherlands.

Amsterdam, 15 Rajab 1437/22 April 2016 (MINA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and entourage arrived here, on Thursday afternoon, after concluding his visit to Belgium.

The Head of State was greeted by Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja and a protocol official of the Dutch government.

President Jokowi is on a European trip taking him to Germany, Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands from April 17 to 23, to boost economic ties.

Jokowi’s visit is the first by a leader of the former Dutch colony since Abdurraham Wahid in 2000.

In 2010, then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono canceled a visit at the last minute amid moves by a separatist group to have him arrested for alleged human rights violations.

Separatists from the Maluku region of Indonesia who have long lived in the Netherlands sought to speak with Widodo during his visit Friday, but said this week that the Dutch government had not responded to their request to set up a meeting. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)