Indonesia Australia Agrees On New Agreements In The Field Of Security And Defense

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conveyed the results of a one-on-one meeting and their bilateral meeting in front of journalists from two countries on the Australian aircraft carrier heli deck HMAS Canberra in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, November 12.

The two country leaders, who compactly wore hats bearing the "HMAS Canberra" logo, gave statements with them alternately, starting with a joint statement from PM Albanese, then followed by President Prabowo.

PM Albanese and President Prabowo, when delivering a joint statement which was the result of today's bilateral meeting, announced the agreement that was successfully agreed upon by the two countries in the field of security and defense.

"The Australian Government and the Government of Indonesia have agreed on the substance of negotiations for a new bilateral agreement for the common interest in the security sector. Australia's relations with Indonesia are based on friendship, mutual trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region," said PM Albanese at the beginning of his statement with him.

PM Albanese then assessed that the bilateral agreement that had just been agreed upon by the two countries was a form of recognition from Indonesia and Australia that the best way to maintain peace and stability in the region was through cooperation.

"(This agreement, ed.) is a new chapter in Indonesia and Australia relations," continued PM Albanese.

Then, President Prabowo started his statement by thanking PM Albanese for his welcome to Sydney.

"This is my first state visit in Australia, although I have been here quite often, and I am very happy to be welcomed by the Governor-General this morning. Our discussions are very good, and I think we have agreed on a very important agreement for Australia and Indonesia," said President Prabowo.

On the same occasion, President Prabowo continued to emphasize the importance of Australia for Indonesia. Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia always maintains good neighboring policies as one of its foreign political policies.

"I believe in good neighboring policies. Good neighbors are very important. Good neighbors will help each other in difficult times. For us, Indonesians, we have the term, when we face an emergency situation, it is the neighbors who will help us. Our brothers may live far away, and those closest to us are our neighbors, and only good neighbors will help each other," said President Prabowo.

After each delivered a statement with him, President Prabowo and PM Albanese continued to shake hands and take pictures together. After that, President Prabowo, accompanied by Foreign Minister Sugiono, continued to talk with PM Albanese and several high-ranking Australian officials.

After that, President Prabowo and PM Albanese left the joint statement location on the HMAS Canberra heli deck.