Jakarta, October 3, 2025 – The Europe Today: Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti has reaffirmed Indonesia’s full support for strengthening the economic partnership between ASEAN and the European Union (EU), underscoring Jakarta’s commitment to advancing deeper regional integration.
“Indonesia encourages substantial enhancement of ASEAN-EU cooperation, and we are ready to work constructively with all ASEAN countries and EU partners to delve into a deeper economic integration,” the deputy minister stated, according to a ministry release on Thursday.
Her remarks were delivered during the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers–EU Trade Commissioner Consultation, held on September 25, 2025, as part of the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which took place from September 22 to 26.
Roro Esti noted that the consultation addressed key regional and global economic challenges, including geopolitical tensions that have created uncertainty, disrupted supply chains, and impacted small businesses.
She said ASEAN and the EU reiterated their shared commitment to implementing a predictable, transparent, free, fair, inclusive, sustainable, and rules-based multilateral trade regime anchored in World Trade Organization (WTO) principles.
“Ongoing economic challenges and global tension emphasized the importance of maintaining closer economic cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union,” she remarked.
The deputy minister also commended EU partners for their contribution in concluding the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) after nine years of negotiations. She expressed hope that the agreement will soon be ratified and implemented by both parties.
According to Trade Ministry data, Indonesia-EU trade reached US$18 billion between January and July 2025, marking a 4.34 percent increase compared with the same period in 2024. Last year, bilateral trade totaled US$30.40 billion, with Indonesia recording a surplus of US$4.4 billion.
The I-EU CEPA eliminates up to 98 percent of tariffs, removes most barriers on goods and services, and opens greater opportunities for investment between the two economies.
