Indonesian Citizens Want To Go To Europe Easier! Mardani: This Is Prabowo's Diplomacy Result

JAKARTA - The chairman of the House of Representatives' Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP), Mardani Ali Sera, responded to the European Union's decision to facilitate the visa process for Indonesian citizens (WNI) to the Schengen region. According to Mardani, this is one of the successes of active diplomacy by President Prabowo Subianto.

"Imperfect diplomacy. The EU statement facilitates the visa process for Indonesian citizens to the Schengen region is good news for all," said Mardani, Tuesday, July 15.

"This success cannot be separated from the active and courageous diplomacy of the President. This is proof that strong leadership at the global level can directly have an impact on the community," continued the PKS legislator from the Jakarta electoral district.

With concrete steps and strong orchestration, continued Mardani, the ease of visas from the European Union could be a stepping stone to wider cooperation. "Of course it will be mutually beneficial between Indonesia and European countries," added Mardani.

Mardani also said that the diplomatic power of Indonesia and the European Union could further strengthen opportunities for cross-regional cooperation. Especially after the agreement of a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the European Union or the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement of Indonesia and the European Union (Indonesia'European Union Comprehensive Economic Agreement), abbreviated as IEU-CEPA).

"In addition to previously agreed on the IEU-CEPA, Indonesia's free trade agreement with European Union countries, so that there are opportunities for products and people from both regions to be borderless (without limits)," said Mardani.

Mardani also hopes that this new policy related to Indonesia's relations with the European Union can be the beginning of wider convenience, especially for Indonesia and its people.

"Hopefully in the future Indonesia can be free of Schengen visas later," he concluded.

As is known, President Prabowo Subianto met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the European Union Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday, July 13. The meeting resulted in a number of strategic agreements.

One of them, the Indonesian people will be given the convenience of getting a Schengen visa to be able to visit a number of countries in the European continent. Schengen is an area consisting of 29 European countries that officially abolish passport policies and all types of border controls in each border area.

Through this policy, in the future, Indonesians can more easily visit countries in the European continent. That way, a number of activities such as investing and study will also be more flexible.