Indonesia as chair of ASEAN 2011

Towards the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, also held a business summit meeting of ASEAN and the European Union which  was attended by many businessmen from the two regions. The summit that was held on Thursday (May 5) -which was opened by President Susilo  Bambang  Yudhoyono- discussed various  aspects of  economic cooperation between ASEAN with the European Union. The Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu also said that the four ASEAN countries have been talking about trade agreements with the EU.

Chairman of the  Indonesian chamber of commerce and industry, Suryo Bambang Sulisto believes the prospects of economic cooperation between ASEAN-European Union is very well.Suryo Bambang Sulisto compares the trading relationship with China, which caused many complaints from the industry in Indonesia since flooded with Chinese cheap products and probably subsidized by the government. While with the European Union, ASEAN countries could take advantage in developing products that can meet the requirements  for entry into the EU market.


However, agreement of economic cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union criticized  by ASEAN People Forum. In a statement, the ASEAN People Forum said that the agreement of ASEAN and  EU could be harmful the ASEAN countries, which is still a developing country.

Such as for example the contents of the Partnership Cooperation Agreement, in matters relating to the interests of  Europe  then the words used are "We shall". But if something related  with Indonesia, such as human rights, education, small-scale enterprises, the words are "We take into account" or "We recognise", "We can be".

The use of the sentence  was deemed not reflect the equality of both parties in the basic agreement. All products that will enter the EU market must go through the testing process of the European Union, according to the EU Directive. But as current chair of ASEAN, Indonesia is expected to meet three priorities that have been promoted since becoming Chairman of the ASEAN 2011, especially the development of ASEAN in international environment after 2015.