In a significant development, the Government of Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with the European Union through a series of key meetings led directly by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during his state visit to Brussels, Belgium on July 12-13, 2025.
During his visit, President Prabowo held bilateral meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. These engagements resulted in several strategic achievements that mark a new chapter in Indonesia-EU relations, particularly in the areas of economy, education, health, and inclusive multilateral cooperation.
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Nears Completion
In his meeting with President von der Leyen at the Berlaymont Building in Brussels, President Prabowo and the European Commission President announced a major breakthrough: a political agreement to conclude negotiations on the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA). This comprehensive economic partnership has been under negotiation for a decade and is now entering its finalization phase.
“Today we have reached a breakthrough. After 10 years of negotiations, we have finally agreed on a partnership that essentially constitutes a free trade agreement. This reflects a strong mutual trust and will open vast opportunities in key industries, agriculture, automotive, and services sectors for both sides,” President Prabowo stated during the joint press conference.
President von der Leyen welcomed this development, emphasizing that the agreement comes at a timely moment to strengthen their long-term partnership built on trust, reciprocity, transparency, and shared values.
Expanding Cooperation in Education and Health
Beyond trade, President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of expanding Indonesia-EU cooperation in education and health. The President highlighted the strong socio-cultural interactions between Indonesian and European communities, including the eight million Indonesians who visit Europe annually and more than 3,000 Indonesian students pursuing studies at various European universities.
“We want even more young Indonesians to gain knowledge in Europe. We also welcome the presence of foreign educational institutions and hospitals in Indonesia as part of our constructive global engagement,” President Prabowo explained.
In this context, President von der Leyen announced the launch of the visa cascade policy, which will ease access for Indonesian nationals to the Schengen area. Starting now, Indonesians visiting the EU for a second time will be eligible for multi-entry Schengen visas, further facilitating people-to-people exchanges, study opportunities, investment, and business activities.
Global Stability and Cooperation
The meeting with European Council President António Costa at the Europa Building also underscored Indonesia and the EU’s position as key partners in safeguarding global stability. President Prabowo stressed that the world is moving toward a multipolar order that requires genuine contributions from major powers to uphold peace and stability.
“We see Europe as a very important region in maintaining a peaceful and just world order. Given Indonesia’s strategic resources and its central position in ASEAN, our partnership will have significant impacts on the global economy and geopolitics,” President Prabowo stated.
European Council President António Costa expressed his support for Indonesia’s development agenda under President Prabowo’s leadership, while also praising Indonesia as one of the EU’s most important global partners, a key pillar of ASEAN, and the largest democracy in Southeast Asia with an increasingly influential voice on the international stage.
A Heartfelt Gathering with Indonesian Community
In another meaningful moment, President Prabowo took the opportunity to meet directly with members of the Indonesian community in Brussels. Hundreds of Indonesians, including students, professionals, and long-established families in Belgium, warmly welcomed the President. In this heartfelt gathering, President Prabowo listened to their hopes that the close Indonesia-EU relationship would deliver tangible benefits, including stronger protection and welfare for Indonesians living abroad.
Conclusion:
The state visit has reaffirmed Indonesia and the European Union’s shared commitment to further deepen their strategic partnership within a framework of equality, mutual respect, and shared interests. With these significant achievements, both parties are expected to move forward together in building a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable global future.