29-31 July 2013

Canberra

The second round of IA-CEPA negotiations was held on 29-31 July 2013 in Canberra. Mr Michael Mugliston, Special Negotiator, Free Trade Agreement Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led the Australian delegation, which included representatives from nine agencies. Mr Iman Pambagyo, Director-General of International Trade Cooperation, Ministry of Trade, led the Indonesian delegation, which comprised representatives from ten agencies.

Lead negotiators noted the priority Leaders' accorded to progressing IA-CEPA negotiations and their support for further promotion of bilateral trade and investment cooperation at the recent Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting in July 2013. They also welcomed recent moves to address various impediments in the bilateral trade relationship.

The second round of negotiations focused on economic cooperation and stakeholder engagement. The round continued consideration of the recommendations made to both governments in the Indonesia-Australia Business Partnership Group (IA-BPG) Position Paper [PDF 2 MB] and explored the IA-BPG proposed skills exchange pilot project and agricultural cooperation.

The second round also agreed to release publicly the IA-CEPA Guiding Principles, Objectives and Organisation of Negotiations document. This will serve as an ongoing reference document throughout the course of negotiations.