IEU-CEPA Document Targeted for Signing in October 2026, Indonesia to Immediately Pursue Ratification Process

The government is targeting the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) to be signed in October 2026. The agreement is expected to open wider market access while encouraging increased European investment in Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the IEU-CEPA documentation in the English version is targeted to be completed soon. After signing, the agreement will be brought to the European Parliament to undergo the ratification process.

“The documentation in the English version will be completed soon and is targeted for October, hopefully it can be signed,” said Airlangga during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office in Jakarta, Friday (21/8/2026).

Airlangga said that Indonesia has conducted consultations with the DPR regarding the ratification mechanism. The government is likely to use a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) mechanism so that the implementation of the agreement can be carried out more quickly after the entire ratification process is completed.

According to the Golkar Party politician, IEU-CEPA will be a greater expansion of market access for Indonesia’s trade and investment relations with the European Union. One of the main benefits of the agreement is the opening of market access through tariff elimination.

“90% of tariff posts will immediately become 0% and this will be reduced gradually,” said Airlangga.

In addition to expanding market access, Airlangga hopes that the implementation of the EU CEPA can open up new investment potential from European companies. The European Union has been one of Indonesia’s important investment partners in various sectors.

Airlangga revealed that European business interest in Indonesia is also beginning to be seen from the increasing number of business delegation visits from several European countries. Germany, France, and other European Union countries are said to have started bringing business delegations to Indonesia to explore cooperation opportunities.

“Indonesia-Europe economic relations have been going on since the 15th century. From Indonesian spice exporters to Europe and of course now is the time for us to create a more equal cooperation,” explained Airlangga.