Indonesian president delays European visit after flight ban

"The president is respecting the EU's decision, so he will delay his visit to Europe," Indonesian Transport Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal was quoted by DPA as telling Tempo daily.

President Yudhoyono, who will only fly with national carrier Garuda Indonesia, had planned to travel in early January at the invitation of EU President Jose Manuel Barroso to Belgium and Poland, according to Rakyat Merdeka newspaper.

He had urged the EU last month to act swiftly to lift the ban imposed in June on Indonesian airlines after a string of air accidents, saying that Indonesia is making every effort to improve aviation safety.

On November 29 the EU lifted a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Surinam's Blue Wing Airlines from flying in the 27-nation bloc, but said that Indonesian airlines still needed improvements.