Brussels, July 14, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto met with His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium on Sunday at the Laeken Royal Palace in Brussels, as part of his official visit to Europe. The meeting underscored efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Indonesia and Belgium and further Indonesia’s diplomatic engagement with the European Union.
Upon arrival, President Prabowo was warmly received by King Philippe on the palace grounds, followed by a formal photo session in the main hall. The two leaders then held a private tête-à-tête in the King’s personal chamber, where they discussed a range of strategic issues, including deepening political, economic, and cultural cooperation.
The President was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya and Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium Andri Hadi during the visit.
Following the royal meeting, President Prabowo proceeded to Brussels International Airport to continue his European tour, with his next stop in Paris, France, where he is scheduled to attend the Bastille Day commemoration on July 14 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
While in Brussels, President Prabowo also held high-level talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. The discussions focused on expanding Indonesia–EU strategic cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, and sustainable development.
In a joint press statement with President von der Leyen on Sunday, President Prabowo announced a major diplomatic and economic milestone—the conclusion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) after a decade of negotiations.
“We have achieved a breakthrough. After 10 years of negotiations, we have concluded a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, which is essentially a free trade agreement,” President Prabowo stated.
President von der Leyen welcomed the successful conclusion of the agreement, describing it as “a reflection of our shared commitment to a long-term partnership between Indonesia and the EU.”
The IEU-CEPA is expected to boost trade flows, attract investment, and facilitate closer cooperation in key sectors including green economy, digital transformation, and inclusive growth. The agreement is seen as a cornerstone of Indonesia’s efforts to deepen economic ties with Europe and expand its global trade footprint.
President Prabowo’s European tour highlights his administration’s proactive diplomacy and strategic focus on expanding Indonesia’s international partnerships, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks.
