Opening remarks by President António Costa at the meeting with President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto

Opening remarks by President António Costa at the meeting with President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto

It's a great honour for me and a pleasure to welcome you here today in Brussels. Allow me, first of all, to commend you for this real breakthrough with the political agreement on the competitive economic partnership. The European Union and Indonesia together represent a market of over 700 million consumers.

Indonesia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. And for us, Indonesia is clearly one of the most important global partners, and we want to increase and strengthen our relationship. Indonesia is a major force and the largest democracy in the Southeast Asia. Indonesia is a key pillar of ASEAN, and a country whose voice carries growing weight in global affairs.

Indonesia is a natural and valuable partner. We share a commitment to multilateralism, to a rules-based international order and to balanced economic cooperation. Our partnership is more important than ever, and it is time to inject fresh energy into our relationship. Our trade agreement will deepen our exchanges and build a strategic partnership that reflects our shared objectives.

We are ready to support you in your ambitious agenda to foster robust growth. Create opportunities for the young people in Indonesia, enhance food and energy security. Let this visit be more than a gesture of goodwill and let it mark our shared determination to act together.