JAKARTA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia continues to see growing ties with European Union (EU), according to a statement released by the ministry Wednesday.
"Cooperation between Indonesia and EU has a strategic role, not only affecting development of the two economies, but also in the efforts to face global challenges," Retno said at the Indonesia-EU Joint Commission Meeting held recently in Brussels, Belgium.
She added that the two economies saw several milestones set this year, serving as foundations to further improve welfare of 750 million people living in the two regions.
Under the auspices of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) established by the two economies in 2014, measures to promote mutual development have been taken recently, the minister said.
Those measures include the revocation of bans on serving flights to Europe for Indonesian airlines of Batik Air, Citilink and Lion Air, and the shipping commencement of Indonesian timber commodity with EU's FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) license to European seaports this year, she added.
Retno said through the CEPA, Indonesia and EU would see more opportunities in trade and investment sectors, and more importantly, the capacity-building effort for people in the two regions.
Swifter CEPA negotiations process is essential, she added.
EU was the fourth largest investor in Indonesia last year, with total investment of 2.26 billion U.S. dollars in 1,437 projects.
Two-way trade between the two economies was recorded at 26.14 billion dollars, making EU the fourth largest trade partner of Indonesia last year.
