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The President of the Republic of Indonesia, his excellency Prabowo Subianto, has met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aboard the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra in Sydney.
Officials from both countries conducted a visit to the Canberra Class landing helicopter dock in Sydney Harbour. This was President Subianto’s first state visit to Australia.
Both countries are reportedly in the final stages of signing a bilateral security treaty to deepen defence ties, possible joint military response and consult each other in the event of challenge to common interests. The agreement is expected to be formally signed in Jakarta next January.
The treaty is envisioned to commit both parties to:
- Undertake to consult at leader and ministerial level on a regular basis about matters affecting their common security and to develop such cooperation as would benefit their own security and that of the region.
- Undertake to consult each other in the case of adverse challenges to either party or to their common security interests and, if appropriate, consider measures which might be taken either individually or jointly and in accordance with the processes of each party.
- Agree to promote – in accordance with the policies and priorities of each – mutually beneficial cooperative activities in the security field, in areas to be identified by the two parties.
During a media conference following the meeting, Prime Minister Albanese confirmed his intentions to travel to Indonesia in January next year at the request of the Indonesian government.
“The governments of Australia and Indonesia have just substantively concluded negotiations on a new bilateral treaty on our common security,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
“This treaty is a recognition from both our nations that the best way to secure that peace and stability is by acting together. It signals a new era in the Australia–Indonesia relationship.
“This treaty will commit Australia and Indonesia to consult at a leader and ministerial level on a regular basis on matters of security to identify and undertake mutually beneficial security activities, and, if either or both countries security is threatened, to consult and consider what measures may be taken either individually or jointly to deal with those threats.
“This treaty represents a major extension of our existing security and defence cooperation.”
It’s understood that the new agreement would seek to build on a security agreement signed by both countries previously, as well as on the 2006 Lombok Treaty and a Defence Cooperation Agreement signed last year.
The pair of leaders had previously met in Jakarta in May this year for the Australia–Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
“This is my first state visit to Australia, although I’ve been here many times, and I’m pleased to have been received by the Governor-General this morning,” according to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
“We had very good discussions, and we concluded an important agreement, an important treaty between Australia and Indonesia, committing ourselves to close cooperation in the defence and security fields, and essentially reaffirming our determination to enhance our friendship and to as partners, as close neighbours, our determination to maintain the best of relationship in order to enhance and guarantee security of both our countries.
“It is our destiny to be direct neighbours … Good neighbours are essential. Good neighbours will help each other in times of difficulties.
“And in the Indonesian culture, we have a saying. When we face an emergency, it is our neighbour that will help us. Maybe our relatives will remain far away, but our neighbours are the closest. And only good neighbours will help each other.”
