Minister of Foreign Affairs Emphasizes that the RI-Australia Treaty is not a Military Pact, but only a Security Consultation Forum

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sugiono dismissed the notion that the Indonesia-Australia security treaty contained a new defense initiative or led to a military pact.

He emphasized that the agreement merely formed a bilateral consultation forum to read the security situation factually and measurably.

"This is not a pact, not a defense pact, let alone a military pact. There is no clause that a threat to one country is perceived as a threat to another country," Sugiono said in his statement to reporters at the State Palace, Friday, February 6.

Sugiono explained that the treaty was an extension of the 2006 Defense Cooperation Agreement and referred to the Lombok Treaty 1995 cooperation model.

The point is, open a regular consultation mechanism - at the level of leaders and ministers - to discuss the security situation in the region based on international law and respect for sovereignty.

According to Sugiono, the advantage for Indonesia lies in stability. National interests - maintaining territorial integrity, sovereignty, and improving welfare - require a calm regional atmosphere.

"Without stability and peace, national goals are difficult to achieve. Therefore, cooperation with neighboring countries is important," he said.

He added that the consultation forum did not depart from mere perception differences, but rather from the factual situation that was developing in the region and globally. Regarding the schedule, Sugiono said the format was routine, but the details of the time and technical agenda would be discussed later.

Answering the issue of supporting-supporting if there is a challenge to one party, Sugiono called it hypothetical.

"We talk about communication and consultation. This is a practice that Indonesia also carries out with many partners through the 2+2 mechanism or bilateral meetings," he said.

Sugiono also clarified the link between the treaty and other cooperation. The memorandum of understanding on investment between Danantara and the Australian Government stands apart from the security issue.

Educational cooperation - from strengthening Australian campuses in Indonesia to student and teacher exchanges - is on a different track. The signing was carried out simultaneously only because it was considered strategic, not because the substance was fused.

He emphasized that Indonesia's approach is consistent: good neighbors, strengthening communication, and maintaining the region as conducive for mutual interests.