Prabowo Subianto, the successor of President Joko Widodo, recently announced a significant breakthrough in Indonesia’s trade negotiations with the European Union. After a decade of challenging discussions, both parties have agreed to establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), essentially a free trade agreement. This agreement allows Indonesian goods to enter the European market without any tariffs. Prabowo emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of the deal, as Europe requires Indonesia’s commodities and market access, while Indonesia can benefit from European expertise in science, technology, and capital investment. The CEPA also includes a visa cascade system, making it easier for Indonesian nationals to obtain multiple-entry visas to the Schengen area. This milestone in Indonesia-EU relations signifies a positive step towards enhancing economic cooperation between the two regions.
