Brussels, 26/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - Brussels and Djakarta are working on opening talks for a free trade agreement between the EU and Indonesia.
Meeting on the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Brunei on Thursday 26 April, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa mainly spoke of opening talks for a bilateral trade pact. Ashton says in a press release: “We look forward to taking forward the possible launch of free trade agreement negotiations”. The EU and Indonesia are to ratify their partnership and cooperation agreement by end 2012, thereby enhancing their collaboration in many areas, including counter-terrorism, human rights, interfaith cooperation, environmental protection and climate change. Both partners are also exploring how to work together in crisis management, including in peacekeeping and maritime security. (EH/transl.jl)