Jakarta  - Indonesia and the European Union on Monday signed a partnership agreement intended to bolster cooperation in areas such as trade, the environment and counter-terrorism.

The agreement was the first of its kind between the EU and a South-East Asian country, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It was signed in Jakarta by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, whose country holds the current presidency of the European Union.

The pact will pave the way for new areas of ties and boost cooperation in fisheries and forestry, as part of efforts to tackle climate change, the ministry said.

The agreement is proof of the growing importance of relations between Indonesia and the European Union, Bildt said.

"It opens a new era in bilateral relations, based on shared principles such as equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, democracy, rule of law and human rights," Bildt said at a news conference.

During the signing ceremony, Indonesia and the European Union also launched a human rights dialogue, which will allow the EU and Indonesian officials to meet annually to discuss human rights issues.

The European Union also pledged 200 million euros (298 million dollars) in assistance over three years to help improve basic education.

Trade between Indonesia and the European Union exceeds 20 billion euros a year and is growing by over six per cent annually, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said. (dpa)