I'm Well! Indonesian Citizens Can Now Apply For A Multientry Schegen Visa After The Second Visit

Presiden Prabowo Subianto (left) dan Presiden Komisi Eropa Ursula von der Leyen (right) meninggalkan ruangan ANTARA/HO-BPMI Sekretariat Presiden.

JAKARTA - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new facilities for Indonesian citizens (WNI) who want to travel to EU countries.

In a joint statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Brussels, Belgium, Sunday, July 13, von der Leyen said that the European Union had adopted a cascade visa policy for Schengen visa applicants from Indonesia.

This new policy allows Indonesian citizens visiting Europe for the second time applying for a Schengen visa with multi-entry type, or multiple visit visas. This means that the owner of this visa can enter EU territory many times during the validity period of the visa without having to apply for a new visa every time you travel.

"From now on, Indonesian citizens who visit the European Union for the second time can apply for a multi-entry Schengen visa," said von der Leyen at the headquarters of the European Commission, Brussels, quoted from Antara.

He added that this policy aims to make it easier for Indonesians to visit, learn, and build networks in EU areas. "The point is, we want to build bridges between communities between Indonesia and the European Union," said von der Leyen.

The President of the European Commission also emphasized that the results of the cooperation between Indonesia and the European Union must be felt directly by the people of both parties. They must be the first to benefit from this strong relationship," he said.

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto expressed his appreciation for the achievements in this bilateral relationship. He assessed that the European Union remains a strategic partner for Indonesia in the fields of economics, geopolitical stability, to the development of science and technology.

We see Europe as a very important partner. That's why we want to see more of Europe's roles and participation in our economy," Prabowo said.

The President also highlighted the completion of the negotiation process for a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement or Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union. The CEPA negotiation process took almost 10 years.

"I want to say, this achievement is a strategic breakthrough," Prabowo added. He even proposed that the CEPA agreement document be signed directly in Brussels.

During his trip to Belgium since Saturday, July 12, President Prabowo is also scheduled to meet European Council President Antulio Costa and Belgian King Philippe Léopold Louis Marie.