Advancing educational opportunities for all children

Advancing educational opportunities for all children is a cause that unites Indonesia and the European Union (EU). We share a firm conviction that "quality education for all" is an indispensable ingredient for achieving the MDGs and increased competitiveness.

The progress made by Indonesia is impressively evident - including the attainment of almost universal access to primary education - but there are challenges which we need to face, such as reducing regional disparities and improving quality.

That is why on May 25 we will jointly sign an agreement for budget support from the EU totalling 200 million for basic education in Indonesia, with its implementation based on Indonesia's system, in line with the Jakarta Commitment on Aid Effectiveness.

As a major development partner of Indonesia, the EU is engaged not only in the education sector, but also in other areas critical to poverty alleviation. We recognize that health services are vital to the quality of life of all Indonesians, rich and poor alike. That is why the EU is investing over 350 million in Indonesia via the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Our commercial ties are mutually beneficial too. Two-way trade is close to 20 billion per year, the EU is the second largest export market for Indonesian goods and some 750 European companies have invested in Indonesia.

To help maintain this Indonesian growth engine, the EU is providing preferential trade access for Indonesia's exporters through our GSP trade regime and investing 30 million in trade-related technical assistance to Indonesia.

These ties secure great Indonesian exports for the EU consumer whilst stimulating industrial development and job creation in the Indonesian economy.

This is emblematic of how EU-Indonesia development cooperation is evolving to meet new global realities and adjust to Indonesia's emergence as an influential global player.

The Asia-Europe Development Conference (ASEM) that we are proud to co-host in Yogyakarta on May 26-27 will provide a valuable opportunity to build on this evolution and to reflect on the inter-relationship between sustainable development and social cohesion.

A key part of addressing global challenges together will be agreeing development friendly measures on trade, finance and climate change. As a bridge between the developing and developed worlds, and as an influential member of G20 and ASEAN, Indonesia has a powerful voice in this debate.

The world is changing fast and all countries must adapt to changing geopolitical realities. The EU and Indonesia are no exception and, with the signature of our wide-ranging EU-Indonesia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in November 2009, we have brought our relations firmly into the 21st century.

The Agreement ensures that our relationship, underpinned by a robust policy framework, will continue to make a positive difference to our respective citizens' lives in areas such as student exchanges and job creation.

In conclusion, we both draw satisfaction from the fact that our co-operation is keeping pace with the positive evolution of the EU-Indonesia relationship and contributing to anchoring our partnership in a modern, democratic and prosperous view of the world.

Prof. Dr Armida S. Alisjahbana is Indonesian national development planning minister/head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas). Andris Piebalgs is EU commissioner for development.