Indonesia and the European Union (EU) held their sixth Joint Committee on 29 July 2022 in Bali to review bilateral relations and cooperation as mandated by the Indonesia - European Union Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

Indonesia and the EU exchanged views on their respective COVID-19 pandemic response policies to promote economic recovery and a more pandemic-resilient community. They welcomed the mutual recognition of their respective COVID-19 vaccine certificates since 12 May 2022. Indonesia also expressed interest in improved mobility entering the EU through Schengen visa liberalisation for Indonesia’s business and tourist visits.

Indonesia and the EU discussed the recent geopolitical development of both regions. They reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. They deplored in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter. This war has exacerbated an already dire food security situation: a combination of rising food prices and tightening financial conditions. The combination of these factors impacts on the most vulnerable countries especially, developing and low-income countries, and global supply chains. Both commended the visit of President Joko Widodo to Kyiv and Moscow and welcomed the “Initiative on the Safe Transportation on Grains and Foodstuffs from Ukraine Ports” agreed between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN on 22 July 2022. They looked forward to the swift implementation of the agreement. They renewed their commitment to strengthening the spirit of multilateralism and adherence to international law and their determination to seek solutions that would mitigate the global consequences of the war in Ukraine and promote peace and stability.

Indonesia and the EU also expressed their shared view on the growing strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region. Indonesia underlined its vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They agreed on the importance of building on the synergies between the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. In doing so, Indonesia and the EU would be able to deepen cooperation in areas such as connectivity, maritime security, economic cooperation in line with the Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Paris Agreement.
Both took note of the Sixth Security Policy Dialogue held on 10 November 2021 and the Sixth Political Dialogue which was held in Brussels on 22 March 2022. They reaffirmed their shared values, attachment to international norms, and spirit of consultation in approaching strategic issues of common concerns. They agreed to pursue a partnership of mutual benefits in security cooperation, including maritime security, peace keeping operations, cyber security and counterterrorism. Indonesia encouraged further exchanges of knowledge and consultations on security and defence cooperation through the EU programmes ESIWA (Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia), and CRIMARIO (Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean). Both welcomed planning for a future joint naval exercise and welcomed the Indonesian Defence University joining the EU Defence and Security College Network as an Associate Member.

The Joint Committee took note that the next Human Rights Dialogue will be scheduled at a mutually agreed time in order to discuss issues of mutual concern on promoting and protecting human rights based on mutual respect.

The Joint Committee took note of the meeting of the Working Group on Trade and Investment held on 27 April 2022 which addressed bilateral trade and investment matters in an open and constructive manner, and discussed how to make progress on the respective issues of concern raised by each side. Both sides confirmed their commitment to expedite work on the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and looked forward to holding soon a meaningful round of negotiations.

The Joint Committee took note of the results of the Working Group on Development Cooperation which was held on 8 June 2022. Both sides agreed on the importance of promoting mutually beneficial development cooperation. Indonesia further emphasized the principles of sovereignty, peace and mutual respect in implementing development cooperation. Indonesia further encouraged the Working Group to engage in consultations to ensure effective development programmes based on a demand-driven approach, transparency, accountability and robust monitoring and evaluation processes. The EU elaborated the Global Gateway Initiative and the proposed future cooperation activities focused on support to PCA implementation, the green and energy transitions and sustainable value chains, which will be implemented in a Team Europe approach with support of the EU institutions, Member States, the EIB and EU National Development Banks. 

On the environment and climate change, Indonesia pointed to its efforts to lead by example according to its multilateral commitments such as the UNFCCC and the SDGs supported by international actors, including slowing deforestation rates, its on-going works on peatland rehabilitation and to replant mangrove forests. Indonesia reiterated its concerns about the EU’s proposal on Deforestation Free Commodities. Both sides confirmed their commitment to ensure that domestic regulations respect their WTO obligations and are in line with the SDGs. Indonesia and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the FLEGT VPA to ensure sustainable and legal timber products.  Both sides moreover underscored the importance of cooperation in decarbonising the power sector. The EU expressed its commitments to drive the Global Agreement on Plastic to a successful conclusion and towards the UN negotiations on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). They both looked forward to convening the Working Group on Environment and Climate Change and the High-Level Dialogue on Fisheries and Maritime Issues later in 2022.

During constructive discussions on regional and multilateral cooperation, Indonesia and the EU exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East. They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and stability in those regions through existing regional and multilateral mechanisms. They denounced Myanmar’s lack of progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, and deeply regretted the execution of four opposition activists. They expressed their support for all efforts by ASEAN and the United Nations to promote a return to Myanmar’s democratic path.

The EU congratulated Indonesia on its strong leadership as the current G20 presidency and looked forward to a successful G20 Summit on 15-16 November 2022 in Bali. Both sides underlined multilateralism as the only way to address global challenges.  Indonesia expressed its appreciation for the continuous support from the EU and for the EU representatives’ participation in G20 meetings.

On ASEAN-EU relations, the EU reiterated its commitment to support Indonesia and ASEAN during the Indonesian ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023. Both shared a commitment to a successful ASEAN – EU Commemorative Summit at the end of 2022. Both recalled the Second Joint Working Group meeting on Palm Oil between the EU and relevant ASEAN Member States which was held on 28 June 2022. In this context, they welcomed the constructive discussions and reaffirmed the importance of continuous engagement to promote sustainability efforts and practices in the vegetable oil sector, including palm oil, and other possible cooperation.

The Joint Committee discussed possible future cooperation under the PCA. Both parties took note of the opportunities offered by the EU Global Gateway and a potential Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to define cooperation for mutual benefit in various sectors, including in priorities of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in the health, energy transition, and digital transformation sectors. Indonesia and the EU agreed to intensify consultations on the issue of mutual recognition of halal certification on the basis of the PCA. The EU expressed its hope for a swift solution to the matter. They also discussed ways to increase their already very successful cooperation in the field of higher education and research. They recognised the potential of those areas to boost economic recovery and to promote mutual understanding and respect.

Ambassador Ngurah Swajaya, Director-General for American and European Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service of the EU, co-chaired the Joint Committee.

The next meeting of the Joint Committee meeting will take place in Brussels in 2023.