European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised 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 two leaders held a joint press conference in Brussels, where von der Leyen commended Prabowo for his decisive role in advancing the deal that had been in the works for over a decade.
After ten years of negotiations, a political agreement on the ambitious free trade agreement was reached, marking a significant breakthrough. Von der Leyen expressed gratitude to President Prabowo for his leadership in achieving this milestone, emphasizing the commitment to a long-term partnership based on trust, mutual respect, and shared values.
President Prabowo welcomed the acknowledgement and emphasized that the CEPA reflects the mutual benefit between Indonesia and the EU. He highlighted the progress made in accommodating each other’s economic interests, which were found to be complementary and mutually advantageous. Prabowo also expressed satisfaction with the successful resolution of outstanding issues that had previously stalled progress.
Looking ahead, President Prabowo expressed hope that the implementation phase of the agreement would be formally signed in Brussels, symbolizing the strength of the partnership. The positive outcome of the negotiations was seen as a strategic breakthrough, with both sides working towards a partnership grounded in transparency and common values.
