Prabowo Urges German Support to Finalise IEU-CEPA Economic Agreement
President Prabowo Subianto has specifically requested the support of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to accelerate the finalisation of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA). The request was made during a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
President Prabowo stressed that amid increasingly complex global dynamics, Indonesia and its European partners share a strategic interest in expanding economic cooperation. Germany, as a major economic power in the European Union, is expected to be a driving force in completing the agreement.
“We hope Germany will continue to play an active role in the finalisation process within Europe, so that it can soon provide concrete benefits for businesses in both countries,” President Prabowo said in a joint press statement.
According to the President, the IEU-CEPA is not merely a cooperation document but a vital instrument to boost the volume of trade and quality investment between Indonesia and European nations. The agreement is expected to open wider market access for Indonesia’s leading products while attracting high-tech investment from Europe.
“We hope the Indonesia-EU CEPA can reach a substantive conclusion,” Prabowo added, emphasising the importance of tangible results that benefit both parties.
Beyond the IEU-CEPA negotiations, the strengthening of bilateral economic relations is also being accelerated through the Competitiveness Industrial Modernization and Trade Acceleration Program (CITA). The programme is designed to enhance the competitiveness of national industries in the global market, modernise Indonesia’s manufacturing sector through technology transfer, and accelerate the development of bilateral trade and investment flows.
The Indonesian government is optimistic that with Germany’s support, this strategic partnership will create sustainable economic growth and strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global supply chain. President Steinmeier’s visit serves as a strong signal of both countries’ commitment to growing together amid global economic uncertainty.
The meeting also marked a step towards the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Germany, which will fall in 2027. The two leaders discussed various strategic agendas, particularly strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, investment, energy transition, energy security, education, and employment. According to Steinmeier, the foundation of bilateral relations has been strengthened since the Jakarta Declaration in 2012. President Prabowo also invited Germany to strengthen investment in critical minerals, rare earth elements, and semiconductors to support the energy transition.