Indonesia
Albanese hails Indonesian ties
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on defence cooperation and global trade, describing Jakarta as an "indispensable partner" on his first international visit since his re-election.
Albanese, sworn into office on Tuesday after his centre-left Labor party won an increased majority in parliament, said his visit showed the priority Canberra placed on defence and economic ties with Jakarta.
"Indonesia is an indispensable partner for Australia," he said in opening remarks, meeting with Prabowo and ministers at the Presidential Palace.
Prabowo said the talks were an opportunity to "strengthen our engagement and our cooperation in bilateral, regional and even in the global context", describing relations as "strong".
Albanese was welcomed to the palace by dozens of soldiers on horseback, around 3000 schoolchildren waving flags, and a military ceremony.
Strengthening defence agreements, boosting trade and dealing with tensions in the Indo-Pacific were all on the agenda during the bilateral meeting in the Indonesian capital.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto– X/@AlboMP
While Australia and Indonesia signed defence agreements in the past, Albanese said it was only a starting point for the relationship.
"I do not see this agreement, though, as the last step, just the next step," he told reporters in Jakarta.
"I want us to aim higher, go further and work even more closely together. I am here in Indonesia because no relationship means more to Australia than than this one."
Ahead of the formal talks, Subianto dropped by Albanese's hotel for a quick catch up.
The prime minister stressed Indonesia remained a significant partner in the Indo-Pacific as tensions in the region rose.
"The future of our region is shaped by shared opportunity and secured through collective responsibility," he said.
"The deepening of our trade with Indonesia and the strengthening of investment in Indonesia is natural and vital."
Efforts to strengthen the relationship were dependent on both countries working together to turn "potential into concrete progress", the prime minister said.
"All of us, government, business and civil society, need to demonstrate greater engagement and ambition."
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shakes hand with Penny Wong, alongside Anthony Albanese. – Reuters
Reports emerged during the election campaign that Russia had requested to operate long-range military aircraft from an Indonesian base.
Albanese said every senior official in the Indonesian government had reassured their Australian counterparts it wasn't happening.
"We make very clear our position when it comes to Russia around the world, be it the brutal invasion of Ukraine, its interference in cyber security issues as well, its tolerance of criminal organisations that have been involved in that, are an anathema to our values," he said.
"We'll continue to stand up for Australian values, and that is something that we'll do, both domestically, but right around the world."
Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst for defence, Euan Graham, said the Australia-Indonesia relationship has "avoided serious crisis for more than a decade, cooperation continues to move forward incrementally and there is greater stability than before".
Yet wide differences remain, he added.
"Jakarta sees China and Russia as vectors of opportunity more than threats and views the US and China primarily through the same lens of great power rivalry. That's largely at odds with Canberra's world view," he said.
Security experts have warned Australia to heed Indonesia's concerns about the AUKUS deal and growing US military presence in the region, which Jakarta viewed as increasing strategic competition.
The prime minister is travelling with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as part of the Australian delegation.
Albanese will fly to Rome after his trip to Jakarta to attend Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass on Sunday.
He will return to Australia next week, after he sits down with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday.
