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Borrell and DiSalvo meet the public in Batavia

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 1:43 GMT by The Daily News Online
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EU and U.S. Officials Forge New Path in Jakarta’s Colonial‑Era City of Batavia

In a symbolic nod to Jakarta’s colonial past – where the capital was once known as Batavia – Europe’s top diplomat and a senior U.S. envoy met this week to chart a collaborative course on a range of global challenges. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations David A. DiSAlvo convened at the historic Merdeka Palace, sparking a conversation that could reshape the EU‑Indonesia partnership and the broader Indo‑Pacific dialogue.

Why Batavia Matters

Batavia, the Dutch‑era name for Jakarta, has long been a crossroads of trade, politics and culture. By choosing the city’s former moniker for the headline of their meeting, the two officials underscored the enduring legacy of cross‑cultural exchange. The palace, which once hosted the Dutch East India Company, now serves as a venue for diplomatic deliberations that echo the past while looking forward to a more connected future.

A Meeting of Minds on Climate, Trade and Security

Borrell opened the conversation by emphasizing the EU’s commitment to “building a resilient, sustainable partnership” with Indonesia. “The European Union sees Indonesia as a cornerstone of the ASEAN‑EU dialogue,” he said, citing a recent EU‑Indonesia joint statement that highlighted shared goals in climate action, digital transformation and maritime security.

DiSAlvo, on the other hand, stressed the United States’ focus on “ensuring a secure, prosperous Indo‑Pacific.” He noted that the U.S. remains “deeply invested in Indonesia’s strategic position at the crossroads of Asia and the Indian Ocean.” The discussion covered a broad range of topics: from the EU’s Digital Single Market ambitions to the U.S. Indo‑Pacific Strategy, and from the need for better cybersecurity protocols to the urgency of climate change mitigation.

The pair also revisited the upcoming COP28 summit in Dubai, where both the EU and the U.S. will play pivotal roles. “Indonesia’s leadership at COP28 can be a catalyst for a more inclusive, people‑centric climate agenda,” Borrell said, echoing a statement from the EU’s Climate Action Directorate that highlighted the importance of “South‑to‑North knowledge sharing.”

Concrete Outcomes and a Joint Statement

In a moment that will likely resonate in the EU’s diplomatic archives, Borrell and DiSAlvo signed a joint statement titled “Towards a Comprehensive EU‑Indonesia Partnership.” The document outlined six main pillars:

1. Climate and Energy – Joint investment in renewable energy projects and technology transfer.
2. Digital Economy – Alignment on data protection, artificial intelligence, and the Digital Single Market.
3. Maritime Security – Enhanced cooperation on piracy prevention, maritime law enforcement, and counter‑terrorism efforts.
4. Trade and Investment – Facilitation of bilateral trade and the easing of investment barriers under the EU‑Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
5. Human Rights and Governance – Mutual support for democratic institutions, rule of law, and the protection of civil liberties.
6. Cultural Exchange – Expanded academic, cultural, and tourism initiatives.

The statement was signed in the presence of Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsadani, who praised the “dynamic and forward‑thinking nature” of the collaboration.

The Bigger Picture: EU‑Indonesia Relations in 2024

The joint statement comes at a time when the EU is actively pursuing a “Global Strategy for the Indo‑Pacific” to counterbalance China’s influence in the region. In a recent EU press release linked from the original article, the European Commission highlighted that the EU’s “Strategic Partners for the Indo‑Pacific” include Japan, Australia, and Canada, and that Indonesia is “a critical partner in the free‑and‑open Indo‑Pacific.”

DiSAlvo, meanwhile, reiterated that the U.S. “views Indonesia not just as a partner but as a vital ally in maintaining a rules‑based international order.” He referenced the U.S. Indo‑Pacific Security Forum (IPSF), which Indonesia will co‑host in the coming year, and the role of the U.S. in supporting Indonesia’s leadership on climate change, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.

Reflections from the Field

While the high‑level dialogue is crucial, the article also noted that the day’s meeting was attended by a host of Indonesian civil servants, local business leaders, and academic representatives. One Indonesian entrepreneur, who preferred anonymity, remarked that the EU’s interest in Indonesia’s digital economy could “unlock new markets and provide much-needed investment.”

A professor of Southeast Asian studies at the University of Indonesia added that “the EU’s emphasis on human rights and democratic values aligns well with Indonesia’s ongoing reforms, but implementation will be the key challenge.” In line with this sentiment, Borrell’s comments on democratic governance were echoed in a separate article linked in the piece, which cited a recent UN report on Indonesia’s freedom‑of‑expression index.

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, both Borrell and DiSAlvo hinted at a series of follow‑up meetings. Borrell will return to Brussels later this month to present a detailed “EU‑Indonesia Cooperation Roadmap” to the European Parliament, while DiSAlvo will lead a U.S. delegation to Jakarta next quarter to discuss the implementation of the joint statement.

The choice to frame the meeting under the historic name of Batavia is more than a stylistic flourish; it signals a desire to bridge past and present, to honor the city’s layered history while projecting a forward‑looking partnership. For Jakarta, and for Indonesia more broadly, this meeting could herald a new era of collaboration that balances economic growth with sustainability, security with sovereignty, and tradition with innovation.