EU leaders to visit Indonesia for IEU-CEPA talks: minister

Photo caption: Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto delivers a press statement at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Tuesday (September 22, 2026). (ANTARA)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefovi are set to visit Indonesia in late October or early November as both sides push to finalize the long-negotiated Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto confirmed the upcoming high-level visits, noting that President Prabowo Subianto has explicitly instructed his cabinet to expedite the pact's completion.

"Regarding the IEU-CEPA itself, there are plans for Commissioner Maroš to visit Indonesia, as well as plans for the EU President to visit in late October or early November," Airlangga told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex on Tuesday (September 22).

The landmark trade deal has entered its final administrative stretch, with legal teams currently finalizing official document language in English before submitting the text to the European Parliament.

Following EU legislative review, the agreement will head to Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) for domestic ratification, according to Airlangga.

Indonesia targets the formal ratification process to take place in the second half of 2026, aiming for full implementation by early 2027.

Once enacted, the IEU-CEPA is expected to expand market access, boost bilateral investment, and strengthen broader economic relations.

Airlangga has characterized the long-awaited economic pact as a "game-changer" for Indonesia’s global trade positioning, noting that the agreement will grant immediate zero-tariff access to 90 percent of Indonesian goods entering the EU, with remaining tariffs phased out gradually.

In total, the EU is expected to eliminate import duties on 98.5 percent of tariff lines while streamlining customs procedures for Indonesian exports.

President Prabowo has repeatedly underscored the strategic necessity of concluding negotiations, noting that the agreement will deliver substantial benefits to business communities in both regions while driving Indonesia’s global competitiveness.