Putu Supadma Rudana, Deputy Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives, met with Antoine Ripoll, Director of the European Parliament in ASEAN, to discuss enhancing cooperation in trade, economy, energy transition, and green investments. The meeting emphasized strengthening parliamentary diplomacy between the EU and Indonesia. Putu highlighted the significance of accelerating the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) to benefit both nations. He mentioned the importance of this agreement in a recent Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization (PCWTO) in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the role of the EU in supporting Indonesia's value-added exports for sustainable economic growth. He urged President Joko Widodo's administration to finalize the CEPA before its term ends in October 2024. Putu noted that the negotiations had made significant progress, aiming for mutual benefits. He also confirmed that the EU is considering green investments in Indonesia, as discussed with Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
The green investment plans include supporting Indonesia's nickel downstream industry, reducing raw material exports to the EU. Putu stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in ensuring both governments align on CEPA negotiations. He acknowledged the EU's economic challenges and the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation. Energy transition was another key topic, with Indonesia encouraging green investments in this sector. Putu emphasized the large Southeast Asian market, making such investments feasible and beneficial for technology and knowledge transfer. The goal is to ensure that CEPA delivers win-win solutions for both parties, enhancing economic growth and cooperation. By fostering holistic cultural understanding and informal diplomacy, Putu believes that Indonesia and the EU can overcome differences and achieve significant economic and environmental benefits through strengthened parliamentary and governmental collaboration.
