Moeldoko Receives Visit of European Union Ambassador, Discusses IEU-CEPA Negotiations

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff, (KSP) Moeldoko received a visit from the European Union Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Denis Chaibi at the Bina Graha building, Jakarta, Wednesday 17 January. The visit was to introduce the new Chief Negotiator of the European Union, Fabien Gehl.

On this occasion, Moeldoko encouraged the completion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) negotiations which had been going on for 8 years as well as downstream policies in Indonesia.

"We hope that the IEU-CEPA negotiations can soon find common ground and accommodate mutual interests, and Indonesia is fully committed to this," said Moeldoko.

Moeldoko said that the European Union is Indonesia's strategic partner in various sectors, especially in the economic sector. Where, the European Union is the 5th main export destination for Indonesian products with a value of USD 21.5 billion.

Furthermore, Moeldoko said that the Indonesian Government was also pushing for an agreement on Trade Sustainable Development with a focus on implementing environmental and sustainability principles in making sustainable products more competitive.

This is implemented by the Indonesian Government through various efforts to achieve standardization and certification that can be recognized by the European Union.

Among other things, improvements to ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) Certification and the Legal Timber Verification System (SLVK) for wood products.

"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 it is substantially the same," added Moeldoko.

Regarding downstream policies in Indonesia, Moeldoko hopes that this policy will not hinder the IEU-CEPA completion process. From the Indonesian government's side, said Moeldoko, it has implemented various good practices, including downstreaming nickel products.

Moeldoko added that currently there are 40 nickel smelters that produce ferronickel and nickel pig iron, including electric car battery factories and electric car factories. "We also invite the European Union to invest in building a processing plant," he said.

Meanwhile, EU Chief Negotiator, Fabien Gehl, said that his party was also committed to completing the IEU-CEPA negotiations. Fabien targets that in the next 6 to 8 months he will immediately reach an agreement which is expected to provide added value for both parties.

"Specifically, we want to intensify communication so that we can produce conclusions," he said.