Our objective is that any free trade agreement we sign must serve the interests of Indonesia."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will convey what is in its national interest in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.
"There are several things, particularly those that concern our national interest, which we must convey to them (the European Union) in the CEPA," Retno said following a coordination meeting with coordinating ministers and others at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs here on Friday.
In the free trade agreement with the EU, Indonesia must not remain a mute spectator and the government must decide its stance in the CEPA, she said.
Therefore, the aim of incorporating Indonesias national interest into the CEPA is to enable the country to safeguard its economic sovereignty, she said.
"Our objective is that any free trade agreement we sign must serve the interests of Indonesia," she said.
Therefore, she underscored the importance of finding some room for negotiations with the EU, particularly because it concerns Indonesias credibility, she said.
"Before negotiations begin, we must agree through a scope paper which will serve as a reference for both sides to agree to start negotiations. We must compare what they are asking for and what we may agree to," she said.
The scope paper will serve as a benchmark and reference in negotiations regarding the CEPA, she said.
(Reported by Ricky Prayoga/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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