Indonesia Hopes for EU Trade Deal

The European Union has agreed to start free trade talks with Indonesia for the improvement of economic ties with Asian countries. The comprehensive economic partnership (CEPA), envisaged since 2011, would liberalize trade in goods and services and open up investment and procurement markets with the largest economy in the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN). The EU has reached free trade deals with Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea as it seeks to sign deals with the 10-member ASEAN on a country-by-country basis, a strategy that is strongly supported by Britain.