Joint Statement of the 8th Indonesia – European Union Joint Committee Meeting

1.    The Republic of Indonesia (Indonesia) and the European Union (EU) held the 8th Indonesia-EU Joint Committee meeting in Jakarta on 12 March 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Umar Hadi, Director General for American and European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and H.E. Niclas Kvarnström, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS). The discussions focused on reviewing bilateral relations and cooperation under the framework of the 2014 Indonesia-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The meeting was attended by representatives from relevant ministries and institutions of Indonesia, as well as officials from EU member states and the European Commission.

2.    Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including Indonesia-EU bilateral relations, regional and multilateral cooperation, and joint efforts to promote bilateral cooperation. Discussions covered the existing Indonesia-EU working groups and dialogues, as well as joint activities aimed at ensuring that the Indonesia-EU partnership continues to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.

3.    Indonesia and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their mutually beneficial and equal partnership based on shared values and mutual respect in order to promote dialogue, intensify trade, and better people-to-people links. They committed to strengthening consultations to find constructive approaches to address issues of common concerns pursuant to their respective laws and regulations.

4.    Recognizing new administrations in both parties, Indonesia outlined its domestic priorities, including food and energy security, while the EU presented its strategic objectives for the coming term.

5.    As a result of the robust fundamentals of their relationship and their growing collaboration and inter-dependence, both parties expressed their interest in deepening their partnership with the objective of reaching a strategic level.

6.    Indonesia and the EU welcomed the recent convening of the Human Rights Dialogue, Political Dialogue, Security Policy Dialogue, High-Level Dialogue on Maritime and Fisheries, and the 1.5 Track Dialogue. Both sides also looked forward to the upcoming Working Group on Development Cooperation scheduled for June 2025 and emphasized its role in advancing shared priorities. They also expressed interest to reconvene the Working Group on Environment and Climate Change at an appropriate time. Both sides reiterated their commitment to ensuring the continued effectiveness of these dialogues and achieving the agreed deliverables.

7.    Indonesia and the EU noted ongoing work on the 1000 Green Engineers initiative, including the development of its dashboard, and reaffirmed their commitment to its implementation.

8.    Indonesia and the EU discussed ongoing developments in trade and investment, including their shared support for the conclusion of Indonesia – EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA). Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fostering flexibility and pragmatic approaches to address outstanding issues and concerns raised by both parties while ensuring full respect for WTO rules.

9.    In the areas of fisheries and maritime, Indonesia and the EU remain committed to maintaining dialogue on fisheries and maritime cooperation. Both parties support cooperation on marine and fisheries issues at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Discussions covered efforts to combat IUU fishing, ensure sustainable fishing and improve market access for fishery products, and strengthen cooperation in maritime governance. Indonesia emphasized the importance of expanding the list of approval numbers for Indonesian fisheries companies to enter the EU market and further collaboration on modernizing its fisheries sector, including enhancing its fleet by transitioning to more efficient and sustainable vessels.

10.    On climate change and the environment, Indonesia raised concerns over environment-related policies, perceived by Indonesia as technical barriers to trade, including the EU Deforestation Regulation and the  possible listing of Shorea spp. under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The EU clarified that it decided not to list Shorea spp. During the meeting, the EU also raised additional topics for engagement, including carbon pricing and the circular economy, as areas for possible discussion in future exchanges, including at the next meeting of the Working Group on Environment and Climate Change.

11.    Both parties acknowledged the need for an equitable and inclusive energy transition and explored ways to enhance collaboration in support of these efforts. This includes both parties’ support for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The establishment of a Working Group on Energy Transition was explored by both parties, under which, among other topics, strengthened JETP collaboration could be discussed.

12.    On development cooperation, Indonesia and the EU committed to maintaining communication and transparency to advance mutual interests and priorities. Both parties will continue to explore and utilize available development cooperation frameworks and programmes, including the Global Gateway and the EU – Indonesia Cooperation Facility (EUICF), to support shared development priorities.

13.    Indonesia and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on political, security, and human rights issues, recognizing the importance of regular dialogue and engagement to address regional and global challenges. Both sides also recognized the strategic importance of the EU-Indonesia Track 1.5 Dialogue, which provides an avenue for honest and genuine discussions on key geopolitical and strategic issues. Indonesia and the EU agreed to continue this dialogue with a focus on enhancing the understanding of security priorities, political transitions, and multilateral challenges affecting both sides. The EU proposed a new Foresight Dialogue to complement the existing political dialogue platforms.

14.    As mandated by the PCA, both parties remain committed to enhancing people-to-people contact and facilitating mobility to foster closer cooperation and mutual prosperity. They may also engage in mutual consultations on issues of shared interest, including visas and travel documents. In addition, both parties are exploring partnerships in higher education, research, joint innovation hubs, technology-focused skill development, dual-degree programs, and the digital economy.

15.    Based on Indonesia’s proposal, both sides explored the possibility of establishing new working groups or streamlining existing ones to accelerate sectoral cooperation, including in Agriculture, Marine and Fisheries, and Energy Transition. Indonesia proposed integrating the High-Level Dialogue on Fisheries and Maritime Issues (HLDFMI) into the Working Group on Fisheries and Maritime Issues to ensure continuity in maritime engagement. 

16.    During discussions on global and multilateral issues, both parties exchanged views on key geopolitical developments and reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and the promotion and protection of democratic values, fundamental human rights, the rule of law, peace, and international justice. Indonesia and the EU will also be at the forefront in driving multilateral reforms to support a United Nations that is more fit-for-purpose to ensure that global governance continues to be relevant.

17.    Both sides expressed support for initiatives that contribute to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in Palestine in accordance with the two-state solution, the Charter of the United Nations, and relevant resolutions. They also acknowledged recent international efforts to advance peace and underscored the importance of ensuring that any initiative fully respects the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Both parties affirm their full support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) across all its fields of operation.

18.    Both parties called for de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the war against Ukraine, which has resulted in enormous destruction and human suffering, including among civilians, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Both parties also expressed support for global solidarity in addressing the global impact of the war on food security, energy, finance, the environment, and nuclear security and safety. Both parties underscored that arrangements for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law should take these factors into account.

19.    Indonesia and the EU reaffirm their strong commitment for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan and emphasize the importance of upholding human rights, including those of women and girls.

20.    Indonesia and the EU remain committed to supporting the resolution of the crisis in Myanmar.

21.    The next meeting of the Joint Committee will take place in Brussels in 2026.