Strategy for cooperation with Indonesia (2007-2013)

The main aim of the partnership between the European Union (EU) and Indonesia is to combat poverty and improve the stability of the country. The partners identify a set of priorities for cooperation, supplemented by thematic actions.

ACT

The European Commission - Indonesia Strategy Paper 2007-2013.

SUMMARY

Indonesia has undertaken a process of political and economic stabilisation supported by the European Union (EU). This cooperation strategy also supports the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which remain a priority for a country where the majority of the population lives in poverty.

Priorities for cooperation

Education and vocational training are priority areas of action. EU intervention should contribute to improving basic education systems, vocational training and higher education. The partners’ aim is to increase the level of education and adapt teaching to the needs of sustainable development.

The EU supports the programme of trade and investment reforms, to accelerate the economic performance of the country and allow it to join the international trade system. The social and environmental impact of these reforms must be controlled. They are contributing to the development of a free trade zone between the EU and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

In addition, the operation of the judicial and law enforcement system should be strengthened. To this end, cooperation actions support institutional reforms, good public governance, human rights, the fight against corruption and the fight against organised crime. The role of civil society should be particularly encouraged when carrying out reforms.

Beyond these priorities, the partners put in place a series of thematic actions, in particular for democracy and human rights, support for civil society, food security, asylum policy and migration.

General areas of cooperation

Certain areas must be included in a cross-cutting way within the actions that have been planned by the partnership, such as:

• protection of the environment, particularly to combat illegal logging;
• conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery for certain regions;
• gender equality, including in democratic life;
• governance, transparency and the management of public finances;
• human rights and the protection of indigenous people;
• combating HIV/AIDS;
• controlling the impact of globalisation on social cohesion and promoting decent work.

Last updated: 12.07.2011