BRUSSELS: Indonesia and the European Union (EU) have taken a step forward in negotiations for the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), with the completion of the initial phase – known as scoping papers – during President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s working visit to Belgium.
After a bilateral meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, local time, Jokowi expected both parties to immediately extend the negotiations.
“The issue of the scoping papers for CEPA, a discussion that was halted for years, has been resolved today,” Jokowi said in a press statement issued by the President’s communications team.
CEPA was initiated in 2010 by the Indonesia-EU Joint Vision Group.
The scoping papers cover several issues that will determine the free trade agreement, including trade in goods, customs and trade, technical regulations, trade in services and investment, public procurement, intellectual property rights, competition policy, transparency of regulations, dispute settlements and trade and sustainable development.
Indonesia is ready to immediately negotiate the CEPA, in line with Indonesia’s commitment to making Indonesia’s economy more open and competitive, Jokowi said. He added that Indonesia’s stance was welcomed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
“In my meetings with Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Cameron, they supported the Indonesia-EU CEPA negotiations and said they should start soon”, said Jokowi. He expressed the hope that the UK would remain a part of the EU in response to Britain’s proposed referendum on separation from the European Union.
Meanwhile, Juncker praised Indonesia’s economic growth in the last quarter of 2015, which stood at 5.04 percent, adding that the growth surpassed economic growth in the Eurozone.
“Indonesia is a key and a strategic partner for the EU,” he asserted.
Earlier, during a meeting with Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament, Schulz remarked that Indonesia was a very important partner for the EU.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia had always had a positive trade surplus with Europe. With the CEPA scheme, it is expected that trade will increase and benefit both parties.
In addition to CEPA, Indonesia and the EU also discussed Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT). FLEGT will help Indonesia obtain a license to export timber to Europe.
“Indonesia is now waiting for the full implementation of the EU FLEGT license,” Retno said.
