COORDINATING MINISTRY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE
HM.4.6/240/SET.M.EKON.3/07/2025

President Prabowo and President Von Der Leyen Agree on Finalizing the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Brussels, May 13th, 2025
 

As part of the President’s official state visit to Belgium, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto accompanied the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto in a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at the European Union Headquarters in Brussels on Sunday, 13 July 2025.

The engagement marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, as both parties expressed their shared commitment to concluding the negotiations of the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU CEPA), a strategic trade accord that has been under negotiation for over a decade.

Ahead of the leaders' meeting, Coordinating Minister Airlangga met with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels. The meeting resulted in the resolution of all outstanding substantive elements of the agreement. Both officials formalized their commitment by signing and exchanging letters of appreciation and mutual understanding—affirming the readiness of both sides to move toward finalization of the agreement.

President Prabowo’s discussions with EU leaders are expected to elevate and broaden the Indonesia–EU partnership, which continues to be anchored in mutual trust, shared values, and common interests. Key areas of collaboration include trade and investment, climate action, energy transition, sustainable development, and strengthened engagement at both regional and multilateral levels.

In their joint press statement, President Prabowo and President von der Leyen reaffirmed the importance of advancing the IEU CEPA process as a cornerstone of the bilateral economic agenda. They also underscored the shared aspiration to enhance cooperation in strategic sectors, foster global peace and stability, and facilitate greater mobility between their citizens.

President von der Leyen welcomed Indonesia’s constructive engagement and confirmed that a political understanding had been reached to accelerate the completion of the agreement. “Together, we convey a message of enduring partnership—predictable, balanced, and forward-looking,” President von der Leyen said.                                    

President Prabowo expressed his appreciation for the EU’s commitment and conveyed optimism for a timely conclusion of the IEU CEPA. “We have agreed on many substantive matters that reflect the economic interests of both sides. Indonesia views the European Union as a key strategic partner and looks forward to deeper, more meaningful cooperation moving forward,” President Prabowo stated.

President von der Leyen also proposed the formal elevation of Indonesia–EU relations to a strategic partnership, underpinned by the principles of reciprocity, mutual benefit, and long-term collaboration. She further announced a forthcoming visa facilitation scheme, the cascading visa system, aimed at improving access for Indonesian nationals to the Schengen area.

In a separate meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa, the leaders exchanged views on global developments and reiterated their support for multilateralism, a rules-based international order, and balanced economic cooperation. “Indonesia is one of our most valued global partners, and we are committed to nurturing and strengthening this relationship,” President Costa noted.

As outlined in the Joint Press Statement, President Prabowo’s visit to the European Union Headquarters represents a renewed political commitment to bringing the IEU CEPA negotiations to a close and advancing cooperation across a broad range of sectors in a more structured and future-oriented manner.

President Prabowo visit to the European Union Headquarters was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso, Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry / Head of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Roeslani, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. (dep2/map/fsr/hls)

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Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
Susiwijono Moegiarso

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