IA-CEPA Strengthens Indonesia-Oz Relations: President Jokowi

President Jokowi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attend a bilateral meeting at Parliament House, Australia, Monday (10/2). Photo by: PR/ Dindha Moerti

The ratification of Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) marks a beginning of new era for the two countries, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“It means that in the next five years, our bilateral cooperation will be better and well-targeted,” the President said in his remarks during a joint press statement after meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Parliament House, Australia, Monday (10/2).

According to the President, Indonesia is committed to implementing the first 100-days program of the IA-CEPA, including Australia Business Week in Indonesia, visits by several major Australian private investors to Indonesia, cooperation for funding infrastructure projects in Indonesia, as well as cooperation in the field of education in the context of human capital development.

“Besides IA-CEPA, we also discussed partnerships between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific context. We hope that peace, stability and equal prosperity will always prevail in the region,” the President said, adding that the cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region will focus on, among others, marine issues and climate change.

“I hope that the comprehensive economic relations between Indonesia and Australia will benefit the peoples of the two countries,” the President concluded.

The IA-CEPA was ratified by the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) on 6 February this year. According to the preamble of the agreement, the goal of IA-CEPA is “to generate broader and deeper economic integration between the parties, to strengthen inclusive economic growth and development, and to advance economic cooperation.” (MAY/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas