Alan Kelly
Question:240. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the last time discussions on strengthening ties between the EU and Indonesia were discussed. [24879/24]
View answerTuesday, 11 June 2024
Questions (240)
Written answers
The EU launched negotiations towards a free trade agreement with Indonesia on 18 July 2016 with the first round taking place in Brussels in September of that year. Eighteen rounds have taken place to date with the most recent occurring in Brussels from 13 to 17 May.
The EU and Ireland have a shared ambition to conclude a comprehensive agreement that facilitates trade and investment by covering a broad range of issues including tariffs, non-tariff barriers to trade, public procurement, intellectual property rights as well as sustainable development.
DG Trade, the EU's trade directorate, regularly debriefs and consults with member states and the European Parliament on the state of play of the negotiations.
The EU and Ireland recognises Indonesia as a country with huge potential, not only by being the country with the fourth largest population in the world, but also as the largest economy in the dynamic ASEAN region where it makes up around one-third of GDP in the trading bloc as a whole. As such, this proposed agreement is of strategic importance in diversifying our supply chains and providing greater opportunities for our exporters.
I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to monitor engagements with Indonesia and strongly advocate for a balanced deal that secures meaningful provisions that reflect our longstanding commitment to free, fair and open trade.