European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his leadership in successfully concluding the negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union. The announcement came after a productive bilateral meeting in Brussels, where von der Leyen hailed Prabowo’s crucial role in pushing forward a deal that had been in the works for a decade.
The CEPA, a significant free trade agreement, marks a major milestone in the relationship between the two parties, demonstrating their commitment to a long-term partnership based on trust and shared values. Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of mutual respect, transparency, and common interests in strengthening their economic ties.
President Prabowo echoed these sentiments, highlighting the mutual benefits that the CEPA will bring to both Indonesia and the EU. He praised the negotiating teams for overcoming previous hurdles and reaching a strategic breakthrough, resolving all major differences between the two sides.
Looking ahead, President Prabowo expressed his optimism for the formal signing of the implementation phase of the agreement in Brussels, symbolizing the robust partnership between Indonesia and the EU. He expressed his desire to return to Brussels for the signing ceremony, underscoring the significance of this milestone in their economic cooperation.
