indonesia foreign policy towards the european union

8/6/2019 Indonesia Foreign Policy Towards the European Union

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Indonesia foreign Policy towards the Europe

The development of Indonesias foreign policy towards the European Union evolves

around the domestic and regional expansion in the european Union itself. The widing of

european members countries into 27 countries is a very significant achievement in its legacy to

expand globaly. In the other scope, indonesia is a country with reviving economic growth, theexpanding of democracy and recent terorist attack in an indirect way affects the European Union

and Indonesias policy and political strategy. Indonesia hopes that with the expansion of the

European union, The erupoean union can still look broadly on a foreign relations, not become

inward looking and decrease its international cooperations and treaties with developing

countries especially Indoneisa.

In the sense of Indonesia propagation in the term democracy the European Union

supports Indonesia and quoted Indonesia to be a voice of democracy. The European Union

Views stating that Indonesia as A voice of Democrasy states that the European Union Praises

Indonesia for its effort in tring to become more democratic. The enhancement of Indonesiasrelation toward the European Union can be shown by the statement that is made by the

Indoneisan foreign misister and the dutch foreign inister in the meeting that was held in jakarta

on August 24th

2004. Both foreign minister stated that Indonesia and the Netherlands have

common Agenda that is in the areas of democracy, Human rights, Enviroment, good governance

and anti terorism.i

Since the year 2000, the European union stated its wilingness to increase its cooperation

with Indonesia. This was stated in the European Union comunication called developing Closer

Relation between Indonesia and the European Unionii.This was just one of the European

Unions plan in its strategy to get closer with Asian Countries through its bigger plan Europe

and Asia: A strategic framework for enhanced partnership. Indonesia welcome the European

Unions will as an acknowledgement of Indonesias positif development.

The European Union also took intrest in Indonesias change to be a more democratic

country. This was shown by the sending od EU Election observation Mission in September 11

2005 during the government elections in Aceh. On the 13-14th

of Aprtil 2009, Indonesia held the

8th

meeting of FKB RI-EU in Yogyakarta which discussed about important issue between both

nations some including the case of Myanmar, climate change, trade and investment.

By the looks of Indoneisas relation with the European Union, as long as Indonesia showsits capability to change and increase its economical growth, be a more democratical country,

invite more investeers to invest in Indoneisa, solve human rights problems and terorism issues

the prospect of a pro long future relation with the European Union seem to a a relevent case.


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Indonesia Foreign Policy Towards ASEAN

In the beginning of Indonesia reform era after the down fall of Soeharto who has ruled

Indonesia for over 30 years with his iron fist, there was a lot changes that happen. Besides

changes in the political structure, Domestic institutions, also changes in the internal politics and

political policy. In the context of ASEAN (Asociation of South East Asian Nations), Indonesiahas since been the leader of the Asean countires, with the fall of Soeharto it some how lost its

confidence in being the leader. After the down fall of Soeharto, all the preseidents after him are

tring hard to rebuild that image of Indonesia being the leader of Asean .

In Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono era og governance, heis commited to continue the

international cooperation in order to solve ASEANs problems. In the regional level, Indonesia

has been one of ASEANs promotors to solve this problems. Indonesia is tring to be involved in

Myanmars internal problem of Junto militer, although it is not in the deal of ASEANs policy,

but in order to make the world a better place, Indonesia as a member of ASEAN will do what it

thinks is best to do.

The konsep of ASEAN community became strongger after the meeting between foreign

ministers of ASEAN contries in Jakarta for the 37th

time. This meeting resulted in a consensus

concept plan of action from ASC-PoA and ASEAN Socio-cultural community (AscC-PoA). The

decision of Indonesia in being part of a fore going act to solve the problems of international

terorism and climate change, show Indonesia multilateral way of solving international problems.

This shows Indonesias willing ness to be a part of International Colaboration to ensure the

creation of a global enviroment that is safer to live in.

Indonesia position in ASEAN has to be integrated into the frame work of InternationalRelations in the Asia-Pacific region, and must not be constricted of a constentris circle toward a

certain region, this means that Indonesias foreign policy should show signs of accomodation

towards the problems of democration and human rights and international problems

ACFTA, SEAN, China Free Trade Area. Is a program that is created between china and

ASEAN in order to make a regional area of trade, (Like in the European Union) where trade and

economic activities know no bounderies and border. But by the looks of it, Indonesia is not yet

ready to implement this policy within its people and its government. Some draw backs that

Indonesia is facing can bee seen through the appoling state of Indonesia Infrastructure for

agricultural and industrial sectoriii

, and not forgeting Indonesias bad birocracy that seem tonever end and take a very long time for a permit to be issued. Indonesias law system still nedds

to be fixed and the wrong doing of coruption still exist within Indonesias deepest roots. The

disiplin of Indonesian people also needs to be questioned. If Indonesia can not change its people

morally than ACFTA will just be a burden thus maing Indonesian people can not compete with

with other nations joined in ACFTA


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iKementrian Luar Negri Republik Indonesia,2011, Indonesia dan Uni eropa sepakati kemitraan sukarela dalam

penegakan hukum, ketatalaksanaan dan perdagangan bidang kehutanan,

http://www.deplu.go.id/Pages/PressRelease.aspx?IDP=1144&l=id, 06/05/2011ii

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia, 2011, Indonesian Ambasador toward european parlement:

toward Indoneisa and European Union strategic partnership,

http://www.deplu.go.id/Pages/News.aspx?IDP=4248&l=en, 06/05/2011iiiDrs. Didik Susetyo,Msi, 2011, Siapa kah Indonesia menghadapi ACFTA,

http://inspirasitabloid.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/siapkah-indonesia-menghadapi-acfta/, 06/05/2011

indonesia foreign policy towards the european union

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