President: there is still chance for renegotiations on ACFTA

Antara News, Monday, January 25, 2010 16:57 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said there was still a chance for renegotiations of the ASEAN-China free trade agreement.

"Let us look at the matter clearly, if Indonesia decided to unilaterally cancel the agreement we will have to face the other nine ASEAN member countries, especially that we are also member of G-20. What is happening with Indonesia, unilaterally canceling the cooperation which had been developed for quite a long time," he told a TNI leadership meeting in Jakarta Monday.

The President said on the one hand, the interest of the people needs to be protected, but on the other hand, Indonesia needs to strengthen itself and make better preparations of domestic elements, and Indonesia needs to maintain its cooperation with the other ASEAN countries and its economic partners.

The President said under the cooperation, there is a clause that in some points of cooperation which are still difficult to implement, Indonesia may hold renegotiations.

The Head of State said the cooperation may pose a challenge and opportunity for the people to develop and grow with a high competitiveness. "So do not think that this cooperation will deteriorate our economy or any such bad developments," Yudhoyono said.

He also pointed out that the government will accept inputs on anything which is still lacking and needs improvement, so that the cooperation would benefit the people, nation and the state.