Indonesia Supports More Close Economic Cooperation Between ASEAN And European Unions

Deputy Minister of Trade (Wamendag) Dyah Roro Esti. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti fully supports closer economic cooperation between ASEAN member countries and the European Union.

"Indonesia is pushing for a substantive increase in ASEAN-EU cooperation and is ready to work constructively with all ASEAN member countries and European Union partners to explore towards deeper economic integration," said Roro Esti during the ASEAN Economics Minister Consultation Meeting and the 21st EU Trade Commissioner (AEM-EU Trade Commissioner Consultation) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as quoted by Antara, Friday, October 3.

The consultation forum took place in the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (ASEAN Economic Ministers/AEM) on 22-26 September 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Roro Esti expressed his appreciation to Europe for the settlement of the European Indonesia Union Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) negotiations, which has lasted for almost nine years.

On this occasion, he hoped that the signing of the negotiations could be carried out immediately.

According to Roro Esti, the consultation meeting also discussed regional and global economic challenges.

The tension that occurs creates uncertainty, thus affecting the resilience of supply chains, and presents significant challenges for the business world, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

He reiterated the commitment of both parties to enforce a multilateral trading system that is predictable, transparent, free, fair, inclusive, sustainable, and rule-based with the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the core.

"With global economic challenges and tensions, I think it is important to foster closer economic cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union," said Roro Esti.