Indonesia and Russia Discuss Progress on Ratification of I-EAEU FTA Cooperation

Indonesia views Russia as its most strategic partner in the Eurasian region. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government and Russia discussed the progress of ratification and implementation of the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA) during a bilateral meeting at the 14th Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission Session in Kazan, Russia. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto met with First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov to discuss developments regarding the trade agreement signed on 21 December 2025, which is now entering the domestic ratification process in both countries. “The trade agreement with the EAEU will provide market access, where the EAEU opens access to priority products such as palm oil and its derivatives, coffee, cocoa, fishery products, textiles, footwear, and furniture,” Airlangga stated in his remarks quoted in Jakarta on Wednesday. The Coordinating Minister assessed that the meeting reflects the strong commitment of both countries to strengthen concrete, pragmatic, and mutually beneficial economic cooperation. “Indonesia views Russia as the most strategic partner in the Eurasian region. This meeting serves as an important momentum to strengthen ongoing cooperation and push forward the resolution of various priority cooperation agendas between the two countries,” he said. Meanwhile, Denis Manturov affirmed Russia’s commitment to continue enhancing bilateral economic relations with Indonesia through strengthened cooperation in several strategic sectors. In the meeting, both countries discussed a number of priority issues ranging from agriculture, energy, trade, to the development of special economic zones. In the agriculture sector, discussions covered access for Indonesian agro products for export to Russia, negotiations on meat imports, as well as potential cooperation on fertiliser and fertiliser products. These discussions were also presented by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono. Meanwhile, in the energy sector, both parties discussed follow-up on oil purchase plans, development of oil and gas fields, progress on the Grass Root Refinery (GRR) Tuban project, and opportunities for nuclear energy cooperation. These topics were presented by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung. Regarding the trade sector, Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri explained government efforts to promote Indonesian exports to Russia as well as the progress of the ratification and implementation process of the I-EAEU FTA. In addition, Indonesia and Russia also discussed plans for cooperation in developing Special Economic Zones (SEZ). On that occasion, Denis Manturov also inquired about the preparations for INNOPROM 2026, Russia’s largest international industrial exhibition, where Indonesia will participate as the partner country. The Co-Chairs meeting of the Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission Session serves as a strategic forum for both countries to review the implementation of previous meeting outcomes, discuss developments in cooperation across various priority sectors, and evaluate several issues that still require follow-up in bilateral economic relations.