Therefore, Germany wants to facilitate Indonesia in the hopes of ramping up the process of IEU-CEPA negotiationsHannover, Germany (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto affirmed that Germany offered help to facilitate the finalization of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).
"We are conducting a pragmatic approach between the two countries, and I believe that Germany shares the same view with us. Therefore, Germany wants to facilitate Indonesia in the hopes of ramping up the process of IEU-CEPA negotiations," the minister stated in Hannover, Germany, Sunday (April 16) evening local time.
The statement was conveyed after Hartarto attended a bilateral meeting with Germany ahead of the inauguration of the world's largest technology exhibition Hannover Messe, in which Indonesia will be an official partner country.
According to Hartarto, Germany is encouraging Indonesia to apply a more pragmatic approach that will also necessitate taking into account the Indonesian farmers' interest.
"Germany should also do the same. They should take into account our cocoa, coffee, and palm oil farmers, just as we should do the same with regard to farmers in European countries," he remarked.
Hartarto revealed that several policies of the Indonesian Government pose one of the obstacles in reaching the final agreement in IEU-CEPA.
"Yes, there are several points (of obstacles). They always talk about our policies related to the 'local content'. However, we know that we have met the requirement for the domestic-level component (TKDN) or local content, like some other countries that have done the same in order to control inflation," he remarked.
As for the procurement of government's goods and services, the minister said that Indonesia has prepared it in a more open manner.
"Hence, we would gladly provide the data if they demand it," he affirmed.
He also drew attention to the role of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), stating that all parties may partake in conducting development activities in Indonesia.
"We want to assure that it is on a level playing field, so we are open to any party, who wishes to take part in conducting development activities in Indonesia," he stated.
Responding to a question on the prospects of Indonesia formulating either a free trade agreement (FTA) or preferential trade agreement (PTA), Airlangga assured that the government would not take that path, but rather, it would keep aiming for the IEU-CEPA agreement since the negotiations have entered the14th round.
"No, we are already in the 14th round," he stressed.
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Translator: Sella Panduarsa Gareta, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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