Prabowo Orders Acceleration of IEU-CEPA, Targeting Implementation by Early 2027
President Prabowo Subianto has requested that the completion process of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) be accelerated so that it can move into the ratification stage and open wider market access for Indonesian products to the European Union.
This directive was delivered during a meeting with several ministers at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday (22/09/202 $ ext{6}$). The government considers the finalisation of IEU-CEPA to be a strategic step in strengthening Indonesia’s trade and investment relations with the European Union.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that the President requested all technical processes be completed immediately, particularly the preparation of the final documents in English, which is a requirement for submission to the European Parliament.
“The President also requested that the IEU-CEPA be completed promptly, as it is currently in the process of preparing the necessary English-language documentation to be brought to the European Parliament,” Airlangga said in a press statement following the meeting.
Airlangga explained that the IEU-CEPA has now entered the document finalisation stage. Once the documents are submitted to the European Parliament, the process will proceed to the ratification stage in accordance with the mechanisms applicable in both the European Union and Indonesia.
According to him, accelerating the completion of the IEU-CEPA is vital to providing certainty for businesses and investors amidst global economic uncertainty. This agreement is also expected to expand Indonesia’s export access to one of the world’s largest markets.
In addition to pushing for the accelerated completion of the trade agreement, the government continues to strengthen communication with the European Union to ensure a smooth ratification process.
Airlangga revealed that the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, is scheduled to visit Indonesia in the near future. Furthermore, the President of the European Union is also planned to visit Indonesia in late October or early November 2026.
“There is indeed a plan from Commissioner Maroš to come to Indonesia as part of the IEU-CEPA process, and there is also a plan for the EU President to visit Indonesia in late October or early November,” he said.
The government targets the ratification process of the IEU-CEPA to be conducted in the second half of 2026. Consequently, the implementation of the free trade agreement between Indonesia and the European Union is expected to commence in early 2027.
The IEU-CEPA is regarded as one of Indonesia’s most strategic trade agreements, as it presents opportunities to increase exports, strengthen investment flows, and enhance the competitiveness of national products in the European market.