"We should not stop at aligning the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific with the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. What matters most is implementing real collaboration," he said.
Sugiono made the remarks at the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Luncheon held on the sidelines of the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday (Nov. 20).
Indonesia, a key architect of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, views the framework as a strategic approach to keep the region peaceful and stable through inclusive cooperation amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
He also called for a swift conclusion of the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), saying the pact would strengthen market access as global protectionism rises.
The IEU-CEPA, signed in Bali on Sept. 22, 2025, is expected to remove most import tariffs and take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, following ratification.
ASEAN and the EU established relations in 1977, with the partnership set to mark its 50th anniversary in 2027. The Strategic Partnership launched in 2020 positions the EU as a key ASEAN partner for long-term stability and inclusive development.
Related news: Indonesia supports closer ASEAN-EU economic cooperation
Related news: ASEAN-EU partnership must be equal, fair, inclusive: Sugiono
Related news: Indonesia, France to intensify cooperation through major projects
Translator: Cindy Frishanti Octavia, Martha Herlinawati Simanj
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
