Receives The Australian Ambassador, Prabowo Discusses The Progress Of The RI-Australia Defense Cooperation

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto receives Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams/PHOTO: Prabowo Subianto's Media Team

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto received Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams at the Ministry of Defense, Jakarta. This meeting discussed the progress of defense cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in the last few months.

Cooperation in the field of defense between the two countries has been established in various fields, including training and education of soldiers and health in the context of mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Indonesia has always viewed Australia as a close friend and main partner in the region, especially in the defense sector. This close friendship and partnership occurs not only because of geographical proximity, but also common interests," Prabowo said as quoted from a written statement, Friday, August 26.

Prabowo hopes that this defense cooperation relationship can be strengthened in the spirit of mutual respect and respect for each other's national interests.

Prabowo emphasized Indonesia's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region through strengthening defense cooperation with friendly countries that directly border Indonesia, as well as with countries in the South Pacific region.

“We are committed to keeping this region stable, peaceful and prosperous. We always try to promote peaceful solutions and avoid the use of force," he said.

Previously, on September 9, 2021, the two countries had renewed the Defense Cooperation Arrangement (DCA) RI-Australia at the Defense Ministers' Meeting and 2+2 meeting between the defense ministers and foreign ministers of the two countries.

After the DCA renewal, Australia has approved TNI cadets to study at the Australian Defense Force Academy (ADFA) and The Royal Military College, Duntroon, which is the first time in the history of the defense cooperation relationship between Indonesia and Australia.

Australia has also offered Ministry of Defense and TNI personnel to take cyber defense short courses.