President Prabowo Calls for Acceleration of IEU-CEPA Completion

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The completion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) serves as a strategic step to strengthen economic ties between Indonesia and the European Union. This agreement is expected to open broader opportunities for Indonesia to enter the European market while boosting bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

The government is now pushing for the IEU-CEPA process to be finalized soon. This directive was delivered by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during a meeting with several ministers at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

"Earlier, the President also requested that the IEU-CEPA be finalized immediately, as it is currently in the process of preparing its complete documents in English to be submitted to the European Parliament," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, said in a press statement following the meeting.

He explained that the IEU-CEPA process is currently in the stage of preparing document completeness in English. These documents will then be brought to the European Parliament, while Indonesia will proceed with the ratification stage through domestic mechanisms.

In line with this process, Airlangga mentioned that EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič is scheduled to visit Indonesia. Additionally, there are plans for EU leadership to visit Indonesia in late October or early November.

"Indeed, regarding the IEU-CEPA itself, there is a plan for Commissioner Maroš to visit Indonesia, as well as a plan for the EU President to visit Indonesia in late October or early November," he conveyed.

The acceleration of the IEU-CEPA completion underscores the government's commitment to expanding export markets and strengthening Indonesia's position in international trade. With a ratification target in the second half of 2026, the government expects the IEU-CEPA to be implemented by early 2027, unlocking greater benefits for Indonesia-EU economic relations.