Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Trade stated that Indonesia is still fighting for an agreement on agriculture, trade, and manufacturing during the 17th round of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) negotiations.

Director General of International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Trade Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono stated that during the negotiations, Indonesia conveyed several points that were its main priority, including one in the agricultural sector that was related to the European Union's anti-deforestation law (EUDR).

"This is still under discussion, but we will definitely fight for it. We are also paying attention and conveying our concerns regarding the unilateral policies implemented in the European Union, including the EUDR," Witjaksono stated at an online press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday.

In these negotiations, three chapters—sustainable food system cooperation, trade barriers, and institutional provisions—were technically agreed upon.

Furthermore, Witjaksono stated that Indonesia and the European Union also discussed investment and potential sectors for both parties to collaborate.

"We hope that the IEU-CEPA will not only be conventional in the future but will also enter potential sectors. That is why we are talking about the investment chapter too, also services, so it is not just goods but services too," Witjaksono remarked.

A total of 12 negotiation issues were discussed in the 17th round. The issues that were deliberated on include trade in goods, trade in services, investment, cooperation on sustainable food systems, trade and sustainable development.

Moreover, provisions on the origin of goods, energy and raw materials, technical barriers to trade, subsidies, intellectual property, institutional provisions, and anti-fraud clauses were also discussed.

IEU-CEPA is a form of trade cooperation between Indonesia and the European Union, the clauses of which contain various issues regarding intellectual property.

The 17th round of IEU-CEPA negotiations was held in Bandung, West Java, from February 26 to March 1, 2024.

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Translator: Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Cindy Frishanti Oct
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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