President Prabowo Subianto and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten held a phone conversation on Thursday, June 11, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, trade, and regional security. According to the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, the leaders focused on advancing the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) and reviewed geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
Strengthening Indonesia-Netherlands ties
The call underscored a commitment to deepening the partnership between the two nations. The Indonesian Embassy stated that the conversation sought to reaffirm a “mutually beneficial partnership” within an “increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.” Prime Minister Jetten, writing on X, characterized Indonesia and the Netherlands as “like-minded partners” and noted that the discussion touched upon historical ties, water management, and sustainable agriculture.
Progress on trade and security
A primary focus of the discussion was the ongoing negotiations for the I-EU CEPA. Prime Minister Jetten explicitly linked the importance of international cooperation to regional security, specifically citing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as a point of mutual concern. This conversation builds upon the Indonesia-Netherlands Comprehensive Partnership Action Plan 2026–2029, a roadmap launched in October 2025 by Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
What happens next
The commitment to the 2026–2029 action plan suggests that both nations may continue to prioritize institutionalized cooperation over the coming years. Progress on the I-EU CEPA remains a key variable for trade relations; if negotiations continue to advance, it could lead to finalized frameworks for sustainable economic engagement. Additionally, the continuation of the National Initiative for Sustainable & Climate Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS)—which involves the United Kingdom—is likely to remain a focal point for the two countries as they work to align palm oil production with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
