Indonesia seeks faster EU trade pact approval for 2027 launch
Jakarta and Brussels aim to sign the agreement before the end of 2026, following the completion of legal checks in August.
Indonesia wants its comprehensive trade pact with the European Union to take effect in early 2027 and is pressing for quicker signing and ratification, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs spokesperson Haryo Limanseto said on 20 October 2026.
The Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) is in the final preparations for signing. Substantive talks ended in September 2025, followed by the completion of legal checks in August 2026. Both parties are aiming for a signature before 2026 ends.
Haryo said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto viewed the pact as important for widening opportunities in trade and investment. He called for coordination with EU institutions alongside work on ratification and implementation, so companies could benefit sooner.
The European Commission sent a proposal to the Council of the European Union in June 2026 to seek authorisation to sign and conclude the pact. Indonesia’s embassy responsible for Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU has also been contacting European stakeholders to help accelerate internal procedures.
Those contacts include European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič.
Separately, the Indonesian government is exploring closer economic partnerships with the EU in semiconductors, technology and the creative economy. The cooperation is expected to create new investment opportunities, strengthen Indonesia’s industrial capacity and develop its innovation and technology ecosystem.
