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Prabowo To Meet EU President To Discuss Trade Agreement Resolution

President Prabowo Subianto will meet with European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium. The Indonesian leader will discuss the completion of negotiations on the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA). 

Prabowo will also accompany European Council President António Costa and Belgian King Philippe Léopold Louis Marie on his visit to Belgium. 

"So, during his visit, the President will meet with President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the EU Council, as well as visit the King. One of the topics to be discussed is the EU CEPA," said Airlangga in a virtual press statement on Sunday (July 13, 2025). 

He said that this trade agreement has been under discussion for a decade and has involved more than 19 rounds of negotiations. Therefore, the completion of the negotiations will be a new achievement amidst global economic uncertainty. 

"Well, we've been negotiating the EU CEPA for the 10th year, over 19 rounds. However, all issues will be resolved, and this is certainly a new milestone amidst the uncertainty," Airlangga explained. 

According to a written statement from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, economic relations between Indonesia and the EU continue to show a positive trend, with trade reaching US$30.1 billion in 2024. The trade balance between the two countries also remains in surplus for Indonesia, with a significant increase from US$2.5 billion in 2023 to US$4.5 billion in 2024. 

Some of the main commodities dominating Indonesian exports to the EU are palm oil and its derivatives, copper ore, fatty acids (oleochemicals), footwear, coconut meal, steel, cocoa butter and copra, as well as rubber-based products and machinery. 

A study by CSIS (2021) and a Sustainability Impact Assessment by the European Commission (2020) reinforce optimism regarding the economic benefits of the EU-CEPA for Indonesia. 

It is projected that Indonesia's GDP will grow by 0.19%, with additional national income reaching USD 2.8 billion, and Indonesian exports have the potential to increase by up to 57.76% in the next three years. 

Tag: EU CEPA Prabowo Subianto Ursula Von Der Leyen