Jakarta – The Chief of Staff to the President, General TNI (ret.) Dr. Moeldoko received an official visit from the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Denis Chaibi at the Bina Graha building, Jakarta, Tuesday (16/1). The visit was to introduce the new Chief Negotiator of the European Union, Fabien Gehl. On the occasion, Moeldoko urged the completion of the negotiations for the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), which has been ongoing for the last 8 years, as well as to discussed the downstream policy in Indonesia.
“We are fully committed to the negotiations for the IEU-CEPA to find common ground and accommodate mutual interests,” said Moeldoko.
Moeldoko stated that the European Union is a strategic partner for Indonesia in various sectors, especially in economic sectors. The European Union is the fifth largest export destination for Indonesian products with a value of USD 21,5 billion. Furthermore, Moeldoko also said that the Government of Indonesia is also encouraging an agreement on the Trade Sustainable Development focus on implementing environmental and sustainability principles in realizing sustainable products to be more competitive. This is implemented by the Government of Indonesia through various efforts to actualize standardization and certification that can be recognized by the European Union. Namely, the improvement of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil and the Timber Legality Verification System (SLVK).
“Through IEU-CEPA, it is hoped that Indonesia’s certification can be recognized by the EU, so that there is no need for different certification but substantially equal,” Moeldoko added.
Regarding the downstreaming policy in Indonesia, Moeldoko hopes that this policy will not hinder the process of completing IEU-CEPA. From the Government of Indonesia’s side, Moeldoko referred, it has carried out various good practices, including the downstreaming of nickel products. Moeldoko conveyed that there are currently 40 nickel smelters that produce ferro nickel and nickel pig iron, including electrical vehicle battery factories and electrical vehicle factories. “We also welcome EU investments in Indonesia,” he mentioned.d.
Meanwhile, the Chief Negotiator of the European Union, Fabien Gehl mentioned that his side is also committed to completing the IEU-CEPA negotiations. Fabien targets that within the next 6 to 8 months, the agreement will be reached as an added value for both parties. “Specifically, we want to intensify the communication, so that we could produce a conclusion,” he said.
