VIVAnews - The relationship between Europe and Indonesia needs to be re-designed as a response to the altering situation these days. That is why a new draft embodied in the Partnership and Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Union (UE) and Indonesia, which was signed in Jakarta earlier this week, was made.
The statement was delivered by James Moran, the Director of Asian External Relationships at the European Commission. “PCA is signed because the two parties are at par with each other despite the existing differences,” Moran said in the “UE-Indonesia: Improving the Roles Amid the Globalized World” seminar in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 10.
UE and Indonesia signed the PCA in Jakarta on Monday, November 9. The signing was done by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister, Marty Natalegawa, and Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Bildt, who is currently serving as the Head of EU Presidium.
The Europe and Indonesia cooperation comprises of several sectors which include politics and security, economy and trade, environment and climate changes. The PCA also includes collaboration on anticipating terrorism, energy development, education, technology and clean administration including war against criminal organizations.
The European Union, which represents 27 European countries, and Indonesia have basic differences in terms of locations, races, religions and languages. "But, in the more globalized world, both countries are facing similar challenges. Climate changes and terrorism,“ Moran said.
“The highlight would be on re-designing the relationship between the two parties. Legally, the first bilateral relationship was established in 1980. The condition was far much different than today,” Moran continued. The first agreement would not be able to bear the current situation.
“At that time, Indonesia was in the New Order Era while the European Union only consisted of nine countries. Now, Indonesia has evolved into a democratic country and the EU has gained 27 members. Therefore, it’s an important time to create a foundation for a new cooperation agreement,“ Moran said.
The EU considers Indonesia playing an important role both in the region and the world which includes the ASEAN and G20 Summit. Indonesia also has concerns over internal changes in the EU which is currently struggling for the legalization of the Treaty of Lisbon in all of the country members in order to reform the Union’s policies and political structure.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
