Indonesia, EU sign partnership agreement

Ary Hermawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 11/09/2009 4:06 PM

Indonesia and the European Union signed on Monday the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which the EU said was “the first of its kind to be signed with an Asian country.”

The agreement, signed by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt, whose country is currently holding the EU presidency, will serve as the legal framework and a guideline for deeper cooperation between the two parties in boosting trade and addressing issues like climate change and terrorism.

“Given the PCA’s comprehensive nature and content it will significantly enhance ties in terms of political profile, the scope of cooperation, and the range of dialog,” the EU said in a statement outlining the PCA. Previously, EU-Indonesia cooperation was based on the 1980 agreement between EU and ASEAN countries.

The Foreign Ministry said the PCA will prioritize cooperation in four areas; trade and investment, environment, education and human rights.

“Indonesia and the EU officially launched a human rights dialog today with the goal of regularly discussing cooperation and issues of mutual interest related to human rights.”

Trade relations between Indonesia and the EU have exceeded 20 billion euros and is growing at 6 percent per year, the ministry said, highlighting the importance of EU as one of Indonesia's largest export destinations.

The EU said it had begun channeling 15 million euros to Indonesia’s export agencies through its Trade Support Program to boost exports and refine trade policy. It will also launch the EU-funded Economic Cooperation Facility next year to help Indonesian firms meet the requirements of exporting and be more competitive in the global market.