Foreign Minister: IUAE-CEPA Fastest Partnership Cooperation Negotiation

President Jokowi talks with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan / BPMI Presidential Secretariat

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the Indonesia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA) is the fastest partnership cooperation agreement that can be realized between Indonesia and partner countries.

"This CEPA negotiation is the fastest that Indonesia has ever conducted with a partner country, less than a year of negotiation time," said the Foreign Minister in a press statement quoted by ANTARA, Friday, July 1.

The Foreign Minister said that the formation of the IUAE-CEPA is expected to open up new trade cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

"Especially in the service industry sector, the halal industry, and also Islamic financial services," he said.

The achievement of the IUAE-CEPA was marked by the handover of the memorandum of understanding document which was witnessed directly by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at the Al Shatie Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The IUAE-CEPA document which was handed over by Indonesia and the UAE includes six agreements, namely the first memorandum of understanding on joint project management on mangroves between the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE.

Second, the protocol for changing the RI-UAE memorandum of understanding on maritime and fisheries cooperation.

Third, a memorandum of understanding between the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the UAE Ministry of Health regarding vaccine and drug control.

Fourth, the protocol on cooperation in the defense industry and the procurement of military equipment.

Fifth, a memorandum of understanding and cooperation between Nahdlatul Ulama University and Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Humanity.

Sixth, the landing platform dock (LPD) purchase contract between PT PAL Indonesia and the UAE Navy.

During the submission of the IUAE-CEPA document, President Jokowi was accompanied by, among others, Foreign Minister Retno, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, SOE Minister Erick Thohir, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Head of the IKN Authority Agency Bambang Susantono, INA Chair Ridha Wirakusumah, and Ambassador RI for the UAE Husin Bagis.