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EU-Indonesia relations need a new dynamic
The current negotiations for an ambitious, mutually beneficial new trade deal with Indonesia, similar to the ones already successfully concluded and implemented with Singapore and Vietnam, should be agreed before the end of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s term.
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Long negotiations: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (left) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wave to the media prior to their meeting at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on April 21, 2016. Indonesia and EU are seeking to complete their comprehensive partnership agreement negotiation. (Reuters/Francois Lenoir)
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n Feb. 14, Indonesians demonstrated once again their remarkable commitment to democracy: over 200 million citizens, spread over an archipelago of 17, 000 islands, cast their vote in a peaceful and orderly manner. We look forward to working with the next Parliament and administration.
Similarly, on June 6-9, hundreds of millions of Europeans will be called to the ballot box to elect a new European Parliament. This unique transnational election takes place in a climate of substantial domestic and international challenges and uncertainties.
The last two years have seen bold statements coming from the highest level of the Indonesian administration, calling for more balanced and respectful relations with the European Union. The irritants on climate change and trade disputes, together with diverging attitudes on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have had an effect on our relationship.
EU member states need to work more closely with the new Indonesian administration to develop a trust-based relationship with the biggest player in the geo-strategic region of Southeast Asia.
As respective chairmen of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Delegation, we feel a great degree of responsibility for the course of EU-Indonesia relations. This applies to the parliamentary level, but also to our daily interactions with the European and national executives in Brussels and in our capitals.
On the Eastern flank of Europe, our Ukrainian neighbors are standing firm in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. They are not only fighting for the sovereignty of their own country, but defending the international rules-based-order, with territorial integrity and the rule of law at its core.
Simultaneously, the savage terror attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, and Israel’s consequential yet increasingly worrying reaction, have put innocent lives at risk and continue to threaten global peace.
The European Union and its member states will continue to stand on their principles of peace, democracy, freedom and the rule of law to stop this global fragmentation.
Since day one, we have shown unwavering support for our Ukrainian partners. We will continue to do whatever it takes and as long as it takes.
In the Middle East, the European Union has always been the largest donor of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories. We continue to call for a fair and balanced two-state solution, in line with the borders agreed in 1967, and with Jerusalem as the common capital city.
We want to work together with our Indonesian friends to defend our common values and principles: a rules-based international order, the respect of territorial integrity by all members of the international community, and the full respect of the UN Charter. Doing so will not only make us stronger and better positioned to win our common causes, but it will deepen our own mutual trust.
Economically and with regard to trade, Indonesia and the European Union have been constructive partners for decades – in terms of trade surplus mainly to the benefit of Indonesia. We should make the most of the fact that our economies are largely complementary and thus not in competition.
The current negotiations for an ambitious, mutually beneficial new trade deal with Indonesia, similar to the ones already successfully concluded and implemented with Singapore and Vietnam, should be agreed before the end of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s term. We should work together to build a legacy for future generations on both sides.
The European Parliament has long advocated for a bloc-to-bloc comprehensive trade agreement, and we are confident that the ongoing parallel negotiations with Thailand, the Philippines, and hopefully Malaysia in the near future will create building-blocs for an EU-ASEAN trade success story in the longer term.
Such success will not come by chance. It will come from the realization and strong political conviction, on both sides, that we must give it our all to achieve our goal. Our people and our economies will profit from a holistic free trade agreement that puts economic development, growth and jobs, more inclusive societies, more innovation and more sustainability at the center of its efforts.
We need a new dynamic in EU-Indonesia relations. Because it matters to us and to the world.
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David McAllister is the European Parliament’s chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Daniel Caspary is the European Parliament’s chair of the Delegation for Relations with Southeast Asia and ASEAN.
