President Prabowo, Russia’s Manturov Discuss Progress on Indonesia–Eurasian FTA
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov held a high-level meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday to discuss ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The discussions mark a significant step toward strengthening bilateral and multilateral economic ties between the two nations.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who also attended the meeting at Merdeka Palace, expressed optimism that the FTA negotiations could be finalized during President Prabowo’s anticipated visit to St. Petersburg later this year.
“We discussed the Indonesia–Eurasian free trade agreement and hope it can be completed when the President visits St. Petersburg,” Hartarto said at a press conference following the meeting.
Manturov extended an official invitation for President Prabowo to attend the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), scheduled to take place from June 18 to 21. The forum is expected to serve as a platform for formalizing several cooperation milestones through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), including initiatives in the fields of economic development and strategic partnerships.
In addition, Manturov conveyed an invitation from the Russian government for President Prabowo to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9 — an event commemorating the Allied victory in World War II.
The bilateral meeting took place in the credential room at Merdeka Palace and focused on a wide range of topics, including trade, investment, connectivity, and diplomatic engagement.
Hartarto noted that Manturov is also scheduled to participate in a high-level Indonesia–Russia dialogue, which had been postponed in previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The dialogue is expected to explore further avenues of cooperation in multiple sectors.
During the meeting, the Russian delegation expressed interest in enhancing air connectivity between the two countries, particularly through the expansion of direct flights from Moscow to various Indonesian destinations. Manturov also inquired about prospective locations for future air routes to accommodate growing demand for tourism and business travel.
Investment cooperation was another focal point of the discussions, with both parties reiterating their commitment to facilitating mutually beneficial economic opportunities in key sectors.
President Prabowo’s forthcoming visit to Russia is anticipated to serve as a catalyst for deepening strategic and economic ties between Indonesia and Eurasian countries, underscoring Jakarta’s commitment to broadening its global trade partnerships.
