President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, have officially announced a major breakthrough in the long-standing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations between Indonesia and the European Union. The deal comes after a decade of protracted talks. At a joint press conference in Brussels on Sunday (13 July), President Prabowo declared that both sides had reached a significant and strategic understanding.
President Prabowo expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, stating that after ten years of negotiations, they have finalized the Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, which essentially constitutes a free trade agreement. He highlighted the mutually beneficial understanding reached, where both parties successfully accommodated their respective economic interests in a constructive manner.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of the Indonesia-EU partnership amidst global uncertainty, President Prabowo noted that this collaboration could play a significant role in ensuring economic and geopolitical stability. He praised the efforts of senior officials from both sides in resolving all remaining major differences in the negotiation process.
President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the sentiment, commending Prabowo’s leadership in bringing the negotiations to a close. She announced the political agreement on an ambitious free trade agreement, emphasizing that the partnership is rooted in shared values and long-term collaboration.
Concluding his remarks, President Prabowo expressed hope for the formal signing of the agreement’s implementation to take place in Brussels, adding a light-hearted note. The conclusion of this decade-long negotiation marks a major milestone in Indonesia-EU relations and is expected to deliver tangible benefits to both economies.
